Harboured Feelings.

Note: I do not own anything to do with Azumanga Daioh. I only own this fan fiction story.

I'm back after having a day to rest from writing, just like to say thank you all who have reviewed lately and contributed ideas. As this'll be my tenth story, I'll be making this one longer then one chapter (!). For this chapter, I'm going to try a more descriptive approach, meaning a lot less talking, so please tell me what you think. This one was another idea by a fellow author, and as such I'd like to dedicate this story to Ken-nii B, even though he was an anonymous reviewer. This one's for you. Enjoy, and please review. Oh, on one note, I will make Tomo seem OOC, for the main reason it will have a bit more impact on the storyline in the later chapters. Fear not, as she will hopefully return to her original self later on. I hope this doesn't ruin it for you though. Oh, while I remember, this story mainly focuses on Kagura and Tomo, their friends may not get much to do or say. Anyway, on we go!

(-o-)

Chapter One, Tomo and her feelings.

The final day of the academic week was at hand. The weekend, to the girls, was like an ice cream to a small child, namely sweet until it ends. Either way, the chance to relax properly and spend time with loved ones and friends was never too good to pass up. School seemed daunting at the least, but was tolerable.

Nearly each girl of the Azumanga group had a weekend planned. During break time, Chiyo, in particular, was talking to Yomi after realising the latter person was going on holiday again. After discussing each other's plans, their attention switched to Osaka, watching her sitting in a light daze, staring right ahead into the chalkboard. Failing to turn her face away, Chiyo and Yomi took this as a signal to leave her.

Sakaki had a smaller plan for her weekend; mainly going to visit a zoo was all that was featured in it, as she told an inquisitive Chiyo. Nothing much else was going on for her, yet she liked it this way.

The last two members of the group had an entirely different style of plan. In fact, there was no plan. Both were troubled, by emotions unfamiliar, to even think of what to do for the weekend. They both sat in their respective chairs and merely thought about things concerning each other. These two were Tomo and Kagura.

Things for Tomo the last week had not been going smoothly. Her best friend, or what she thought was one, had mentally 'damaged' her with a comment that had been lodged deep within her, much like a dagger of words.

It all started on the Monday of that week. A whole week had passed since, filled with dread and guilt, after hearing the comment from Kagura. This message seemed so effective against her, that Tomo would constantly slink in lessons and pay no heed to anyone, not even the teachers. She did this normally, but now there was an heir of uneasiness around her.

The comment hit her so hard, that she would stay at home after school, and practically cry herself to sleep. The once happy, excited and not to mention wild student of the class was now, perhaps, more secluded then even Sakaki was seen as.

With this came a sudden lapse in confidence, yet a will to see what she wanted to do with her life. She rarely was as loud or provocative to anyone anymore. This had made Yomi worry, for the simple fact that her best, if annoying, friend was now not the same old, insulting person that she so kindly hates. This negative change in feelings affected everyone, even if only slightly.

Chiyo, for example, would look over to her and constantly ask her what was wrong. Getting a grumble in response was the usual reply, causing Chiyo to fervently try and see what was wrong. Once, she had tried so hard to try and comfort the now ill begotten wildcat that Tomo had screamed a profanity aimed at her for being so 'nosy'. The fact that the now frightened Chiyo did not know what this word meant did not occur to her. The expression on her face, and the other classmate's, was enough to make a man's sleep wicked.

After this rather crass act, few others contemplated seeing her for the matter. Sakaki figured that her demeanour would create a much safer haven for Tomo, as she tried too. She did not try as hard as the predecessor, fearing the result. After asking once, she gave up in the knowledge that it was like talking to a rock. No response.

Tomo was never usually like this, as her reputation showed anything but. This had hit her like a gale force wind, for a reason that she could not really acquire. Questions buzzed through her mind, but one repeated itself. Is it true?

- (Flashback) -

Kagura and Tomo were in P.E, and that day, volleyball was the main activity of the lesson, with the two on the same team. A failed spike by Tomo near the end of the game, most probably caused by her hyperactivity, resulted in an almost evil glare from Kagura, virtually shocking the wildcat into concussion.

This act caused her to stare in surprise at the athlete. This was then followed by, perhaps, the most piercing thing that Kagura had ever said, at least to her.

"Are you really that stupid, Tomo?"

- (End of flashback) –

These words echoed, incessantly, in her mind. She lingered on the thoughts of this, until the bell had rung, symbolising the end of break time. The lessons commenced, even though Tomo did not really care. She continued to think about this matter, as it was the same class for her next lesson.

She was hurt by these words, distraught, even. Never had anything said by anyone affected her as much as this, if at all. She realised that this was wrong, as her outlook on life and her friends seemed like nothing now. She seemed to be a new person, albeit one that she hated. Slowly coming to terms with this, she brought up the courage to think laterally, and thought of the many possibilities of purging this emotion. The one she so desperately wanted to get rid of, before she did something drastic in response. The feeling of being degraded. She had to find out what made Kagura say those words.

She narrowed down the choices she had, although only one was staying in her head, a confrontation. Finding out what the problem with Kagura was, right from the proverbial belly of the beast. This seemed like a good idea, until she realised that it may result in another verbal beating. Sighing, she noticed the time. It was the end of the day. All the other students were gone, as the room was as desolate as it had ever been. She raised herself, still deep in thought, and walked out of the door.

Upon reaching the street outside the school five minutes later, she saw Kagura, already dressed in her athletic clothes, warming up for a run. This was the time that Tomo thought seriously about the plan of a confrontation, but she could not push herself to do so. Kagura had not noticed her, yet.

Tomo tried to walk by passively, yet in the process alerted Kagura's attention after stepping down on a twig. The latter person ran up to the now worried Tomo, as the wildcat tilted her head to face the floor. The words expressed were not the ones Tomo was expecting.

"Hey, Tomo...What's the matter? You've been so down lately," she asked. Tomo looked up, with a tear nearly in her eye, and gave her response.

"Why...Why did you say it?" she murmured. Kagura did not hear, and motioned towards her ear.

"I said why did you say it!? In P.E...I'm not that stupid, am I?" shouted Tomo, as she freely allowed the tears to slide down her cheeks. Kagura stared in silence, before she realised what she did say. She placed her hand on Tomo's shoulder.

"Did it really affect you that much? I was just angry because we lost the game because of it, I'm sorry," pleaded Kagura, trying to calm her friend down. It worked.

"R-really?"

"Of course, idiot," Kagura playfully taunted, before seeing Tomo beginning to slump again.

"H-hey now, I didn't mean it," she fired. Trying to lighten the mood, she changed the subject, "Hey, how about a quick race?"

Looking back on it now, all of this thinking never really gave her many answers. Sure, she thought about her future at the remark, as she still desperately wanted to become a member of the ICPO. After hearing the reason, she scolded herself for being so reckless, and turned to Kagura, still waiting for a reply.

"Okay, let's go. I won't lose though!" retorted Tomo, as a large smile crept onto Kagura's face. They readied their position, and started running. After a small race around the school grounds, Tomo had won, if by some centimetres or so.

"Told you I'd win!" shouted Tomo, slowly but surely returning to her former self. She turned to see the loser of the race smiling, while blushing directly at her. Tomo winced for a second, before speaking.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing...It's just that you're cute when you're competitive," replied Kagura, slightly panting still.

This had caught the wildcat, as she took a step back. She opened her mouth, but no words were audible. Crackling under the pressure, she computed what this information could have really meant. Only one condition was found, love.

"Well, I'll see ya later, I've gotta get back to my running..." quietly said Kagura, even now still blushing lightly. A hint of disappointment filled the undertone of the words. She began running, looking back to see Tomo staring at her, mouth semi open still. Slightly excited, Tomo could not believe what had just transpired.

This emotion, although a welcome one at that, was unfamiliar. This one was embraced, whereas the earlier one was unwontedly grasped. This one filled her with energy, slight confusion and an answer, whereas the earlier emotion was sought to destroy, leaving innumerable questions in its wake. This one seemed linked, but for the life of her she could not figure how. This one was love.

Realising that she was still standing by the school, she began to walk home quickly. The angered, distraught and uncomfortable Tomo was now, seemingly, replaced with the original Tomo, the one that her friends knew and loved. Upon reaching her home ten minutes later, she unlocked the door and proceeded inside. That night, she slept as soundly as she had ever done, with the lingering image of Kagura's face occupying her dreams straight from the get go.

She would have never admitted before, having feelings for Kagura, but after hearing her say that, she knew what she wanted to do. Thinking of this, her plan for Saturday was now complete, as time was the only thing standing in her way.

(-o-)

That's chapter one done, I struggled with this one, but I hope it is alright. As promised, there is more to come to this story. Next chapter, see the story from Kagura's side of events, and find out what she felt! Thank you, and please review. As said in the pre-speech, I'm still taking one last story idea as well by the way, if you have one please say in your review.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Azumanga Daioh. I only own this fan fiction story.