WARNING: None.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in this marvelous universe; it all belongs to Toei Animation, I believe.
Dedication: Everyone who has reviewed thus far.
Reviewers: N/A
Author's Note: So . . . yeah. I'm editing the chapters so the whole story will flow better. I'll leave alone the last three or so chapters, but I'm revamping some of the early ones. You never know: I may just fix some grammar or editing problems or I may be adding small bits in. Nothing big will be added, but the characterization of everyone will be more thorough. Sorry this isn't a "real" update, but I couldn't help myself!
Rating: T
Poll – Please take the poll located above my bio. I'm just curious, really. :D
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A petite red-headed girl gripped her new books tightly in her arms. Her fingers were sweating from nerves and her fingers kept sliding off the books. She sat in a large, uncomfortable chair in the middle of the principle's office, waiting for her guide to pick her up. The principal was originally going to wait with her, but an emergency had come up and he had to leave. She had ushered him out, grateful to be alone.
"This is kind of scary," she whispered to herself, pushing a piece of red hair out of her face. Normally an outgoing, bubbly girl, it felt foreign to Sora to be so nervous. Back at her old school she was constantly in the center of attention, or at the very least, completely comfortable with herself. At the moment, she had to physically stop herself from throwing down the - her - books and running all the way back to her hometown.
She sighed shakily as her sneaker clad foot bounced up and down impatiently. Her wide, auburn eyes traveled around the room, trying to find something interesting to look at. Just as she was getting fixated staring at a large fish tank, a tall, lanky boy stumbled in.
"Ouch," he muttered to himself, rubbing his elbow (which had collided - seemingly painfully - to the edge of the principal's large desk).
Sora stood up quickly, eager to have something to do. The boy had to be her guide. He fit most movie descriptions, anyway. A happy, slightly awkward boy with a smile already plastered mechanically onto his face. Sora blinked, finally observing the boy's bright hair. It was vivid blue. Sora shrugged, grabbing her new backpack from the seat next to her.
The tall, blue-haired boy sucked in a few big breathes of air (it seemed he had been running) and dusted himself off. He turned around and his smile widened marginally.
"Hi, I'm Joe Kido. You must be Sora Takenouchi!" He said cheerfully, sticking out his pale hand. Sora grinned slightly at Joe, glad to have someone so friendly helping her.
"Nice to meet you," Sora mumbled, slightly embarrassed. Joe grinned widely at her.
His smile faltered for a brief second, "Sorry to keep you waiting like that. I got caught up in . . . things."
Sora almost narrowed her eyes, picking up on the way Joe had carefully omitted something from his sentence. 'Well dur, Sora. You've known him for all of five minutes and you expect him to tell you everything about himself?! The heat must be getting to my head,' Sora thought dryly.
Sora smiled at Joe. "It was no problem," she lied through her teeth. She didn't need to give him the expression that she couldn't take care of herself. She was just slightly aggravated . . . more like anxious, an annoying voice in her head supplied.
The boy let out a sigh of relief. "That's good to know. I was so worried! I mean, it's your first day and everything . . . you must be worried."
Sora shook her head, a few stray pieces of her hair falling in front of her face. "No, no. I'm not nervous."
Joe looked at her and she could see the smirk that was tugging at his lips.
"Whatever you say," he murmured, holding his hands out. Sora glanced down at them and back up at her guide.
"Uhh . . .what?"
Joe smiled again, "I was wondering if I could take your books. It's really the least I could do. I was late, after all."
Sora began to shake her head, but after a brief moment of consideration, handed her books over willingly.
"Thanks Joe. That's awfully nice of you."
"No problem," Joe muttered helpfully, his face contorting slightly at the new weight in his arms.
"W-what's your schedule like, Sora?" He wheezed out. Sora scrambled for her bag and pulled out a crisp, unfolded half piece of paper.
"I'm not really sure," she muttered, more to herself than her companion. Joe shook his head, smiling at himself.
"Of course you wouldn't know. It was stupid of me to ask. Let me take a look at it, in the meantime."
Sora was about to hand it over, before she saw the books that he was grasping tightly. "Are you sure you can," she began, before Joe waved her off with a flick of his wrist. He grunted slightly as the weight shifted to one side of his body.
"Fine. I'm fine, Sora. Don't worry 'bout it," he muttered, grabbing her schedule tightly between his fingers.
The blue-haired boy made appropriate noises and faces. He frowned in some places while smiling widely in others. After a few minutes of reading her schedule, he handed it back to her and groaned in relief now that two of his arms could support the load.
"Well?" Sora inquired pleasantly, smiling at Joe. "How is it?"
Joe smiled, "You have a pretty decent schedule, all things considered. You have math first, like me, which stinks because we have one of the meanest teachers in the school."
Sora's smiled faltered for a minute. Joe picked up on her look, but shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Sora. I'm in that class and most of the other classes you have include at least one of my friends in it. They can help you if you ever have any trouble."
"That's good to know."
Joe smiled again, "Yeah. Now, in the meantime, let's get going to your locker!"
He skillfully pointed his hand out from under the weight of the books and ushered Sora out of the door. She muttered a quick goodbye to the receptionist before following Joe through the empty corridors.
"It's quiet in here," Sora muttered, looking around.
Joe nodded, "Yeah, but at passing period this place is a zoo. My friend, Tai Kamiya, claimed I only took this job as a student guide so I could miss passing period." Joe scowled comically. "It's true I don't like pressing up with all those unknown people - who knows what kind of germs people have on them? - but I really only joined to help people out."
"I believe it," Sora agreed, nodding. She paused for a minute, "So . . . do I have any classes with this Tai Kamiya?"
"Yeah. And a bunch with my other friend, Izzy Izumi, as well. You'll get along with them great. Izzy's really smart. Tai's a loudmouth, but he's really good natured."
"It sounds like I'll like them . . ."
"Hope you do," Joe said, before letting her books fall gently to the ground. He pointed to a blue locker.
"This is yours. Number one-oh-eight."
Sora laughed, "Thanks for that."
Joe looked puzzled. "For what?"
She shook her head, "Nothing in particular, I guess. Just for being you."
He nodded solemnly, "I'm awful good at it."
Sora smiled internally to herself. Maybe this place wouldn't be as bad as she had originally thought . . .
xXxXxXxXxXx
Davis Motomiya pointed a tanned finger at a brunette girl in his year. "I want her," he said, while lazily leaning against a locker as he waited for his friend to gather his books.
Ken Ichijouji sighed aloud, gathering his books in his arms as he turned to get up. He pushed a piece of his dark blue hair behind his hair, while regarding his best friend carefully.
"Who?" He questioned carefully, feigning interest. It wasn't that he didn't like talking, or in most cases listening, to his friend, but Davis constantly moved from girl to girl. It wasn't anything serious; he simply had fleeting crushes on girls for short periods of time. In fact, this was not the first time he had heard the phrase 'I want her' spoken through his friend's lips.
Davis sighed, as if it was so obvious and why didn't Ken know already? "Duh . . . Kari Kamiya."
Ken choked on air and bit his lip to contain his laughter. Davis had never picked a girl so . . . popular before. Yolei was going to have a field day with this. For a few years, Ken had tried to keep track of Davis's love interest of the time, but after awhile he had just given up. Yolei, on the other hand, knew almost everyone of Davis's previous "love interests". And she never missed a chance to tease him about it.
"You're not serious . . . are you?"
Davis scoffed and glared at his friend. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ken sighed, pinching the bridge of his noise. Why was he always the one who was responsible in this group?
"I'm just saying . . . Kari Kamiya? Really? I'm sure there's a ton of other pretty girls at our school."
"There are," Davis stated, "but I don't want them. I want her," he waggled his finger and eyed his friend.
Ken bit his lip and racked his mind for Davis's most recent crush. Nicole? Allison? He squeezed his eyes shut briefly, names flying in and out of his had. Ahh, now he remembered.
"What about Caitlin?"
Davis waved Ken off, "I'm so over her, Ken. Besides Kari Kamiya is much cuter."
"You say that about them all," Ken muttered quietly to himself.
Davis continued on as if Ken hadn't spoken. "Plus she's really sweet and kind. Did you see her helping out those special needs kids a few weeks ago? That was really nice of her. And she's so pretty and smart. I hear she gets all A's, you know?"
Ken rolled his eyes. He had heard the same speech a million times over with only slight variations.
"And she also has a boyfriend, remember? TK Takashi? Ring a bell?"
Davis pouted, crossing his arms. "You think I can't take him?" His expression turned smug. "It'll be easy. No doubt!"
Ken laughed at his friend, shaking his head so his dark tresses of hair fell in front his eyes.
"I highly doubt that."
Davis glared at Ken. "Did you not just hear me? I said, NO DOUBT!" Davis cupped his hand around his mouth and yelled the last part. Ken glared wryly back at his friend. They stared at each other, both unblinking. A cheerful yell broke them out of their staring contest.
"Daisuke! Ken! We're going to be late again if you don't hurry up!" Both the boys broke their gaze and glanced up to see a lavender haired girl running at them, while dodging the few stragglers in the hallway.
Davis smiled briefly at his friend, before glaring at her. "I've told you not to call me Daisuke, Yolei!"
Yolei stopped running and grinned cheekily. "I know. That's why I do it."
"Come on," Ken gestured towards the door, "Let's start walking. You guys can continuing bantering while we walk."
They turned to face him at the same time. "We don't banter," they said simultaneously before regarding each other with peculiar expressions.
"Stop that!"
"Don't talk while I talk!"
Ken rolled his eyes fondly, before grabbing each of their arms and pulling them down the hallway.
"Let's just going before you two kill each other," he murmured.
The both turned to glare at him and Ken laughed.
"Say your sorry," he reprimanded, hitting Davis on the back of the neck.
Davis glared at his best friend, rubbing his neck. "Hey! Why don't you hit her too? She started it."
"Because she's a girl."
Yolei stuck her tongue out at the burgundy-haired boy. "That's right, Daisuke! I'm untouchable!"
Ken sighed and reached across to flick Yolei on the arm. Yolei grabbed her arm. "Oww! Ken, what was that for?"
Ken glanced at her, "You did start it."
She rubbed her arm. "Shuddup. You two are so mean to me. 'Specially Daisuke."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
Yolei feigned innocence. "What are you talking about, Daisuke? Stop calling you what, exactly?"
Davis sighed, his anger building up. "That. Is. Not. My. Name."
"Tell that to your birth certificate," Ken piped in.
Davis glared at him while Yolei laughed happily.
"Don't call me that."
Yolei sighed, "Fine, fine. Why don't you like it anyway?"
Davis shrugged, "I dunno. It's just a dumb name. I needed a nickname."
"Still, you're not really supposed to give yourself one," Ken laughed at Davis's rapidly reddening face.
Davis punched his friend's arms lightly. "Shut up, Kenneth."
Ken's face sobered.
"Hey, at least I didn't call you - "
" - Kenny," Yolei finished. Ken glared at the two while they slapped high-fives.
"Let's just get to class," he muttered. Yolei nodded and Davis smiled, continuing to walk down the hallway. Yolei and Ken laughed loudly and Davis whirled around.
"Why are you guys laughing at me?!"
Yolei pointed up to the sign that read 'Science Lab'. Davis colored slightly, before grumbling and turning around.
"You could have just told me, you know," he muttered under his breath as they slipped into the classroom.
Yolei grinned cheekily, "But then it wouldn't be fun, would it?"
Davis simply rolled his eyes.
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Sweat dribbled off Tai Kamiya's tan face as he dribbled the black and white ball through the onslaught of defenders. He knew it was only a gym game, but he wasn't one to lose and especially not in a sport such as soccer.
"Get open!" He yelled out to his teammates as he maneuvered around a blonde who had tried to steal the ball from him. Thankfully, one of his teammates listened and Tai cocked his foot back, letting the ball fly over to his friend. The boy dribbled for awhile, before passing it back to Tai. They were down by one and Tai didn't want to lose.
"I can do this," he muttered, faking left. He grinned widely when he saw a hole in their defense and ran up with a burst of speed. He came closer to the net, before lobbing his foot and sending the ball spiraling into the net. The goalie's eyes widened and he ducked while the ball flew in successfully.
"Yeah!" Tai cheered happily, holding his hand out for a high five. His teammates were talking to the other team as if nothing had happened and Tai groaned grouchily.
"Thanks for the support, guys," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. They continued to play for the rest of the period (well, technically Tai played, while the others sat back and watched) before the bell rang, signaling them back to the locker rooms. Tai groaned, disappointed that the period had ended so soon.
He jogged over to his red-headed friend, who was currently sprawled across the damp grass. He poked him in the shoulder. "Izzy. Izzy. Wakey, wakey."
"Oww," Izzy muttered, grabbing his shoulder. Tai laughed loudly, extracting a few stares from the retreating students.
"You're such a wimp, Iz. Now, get up." Tai pulled on his friends arm, trying - unsuccessfully - to get him to stand. Izzy groaned again.
"Get up," Tai whined, pulling harder at his arm. Izzy glared at Tai, but stood up. He breathed heavily for a few minutes.
"How can you walk? Let alone, breathe?" Izzy wheezed out. Tai rolled his eyes fondly, before supporting his friend as they walked to the locker room. He knew Izzy was just being a baby, but he really couldn't afford to be late for his next class just because Izzy wouldn't walk across the field himself.
"I dunno. Talent, I guess," Tai grinned cockily.
Izzy glared at him, still breathing heavily. "Shut up, Kamiya."
Tai let go of Izzy to clutch his heart. "Ohh, I'm wounded."
Izzy smiled faintly before shaking his head. "Just, come on."
"You're just mad because I'm better than you."
Izzy raised an eyebrow, "When did I ever say I was mad?"
Tai grinned, shrugging. "You didn't. But I'm still better!"
"Fine . . . you're better."
"At least, I didn't score for the other team. Honestly, Izzy."
"I said, you're better!"
"And did you see your form, I mean, come on - ouch!"
"That's what you get."
Tai glared at his friend playfully, while peeling off his shirt. Izzy dropped on the wooden bench, still breathing heavily. Tai continued getting dressed while watching his friend with unabashed amusement.
Tai walked over (now fully clothed) and flicked Izzy on the arm.
"What?" Izzy asked crankily. Tai pointed casually to the clock.
"You might want to start getting dressed. The bell's ringing in three . . . two . . . one."
Izzy's eyes widened.
"And I'm off," Tai continued. Izzy scrambled up quickly, pulling his shirt over his head.
"No, Tai, wait!"
Tai waved his arm as he walked out the door.
"Sorry, kid!"
Izzy grumbled and began furiously shoving his clothes on.
"Crap, crap, crap," he muttered ceremoniously.
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Yes, I'm rewriting this.
No, nothing big will be changed.
The overall flow of the story will improve (hopefully) though. Drop a review, if you want to. I understand if you don't want too (totally fine, since I'm just messing around with previous chapters), but if you want to comment, I accept anonymous reviews. :D