BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Ugh... five more minutes. Just five more minutes.

Akane curled up in her pink pajamas and pulled the covers higher. The alarm clock on the night table was firmly determined to wake her. Akane stirred and refused to get up. She took the pillow and pulled it over her red head. She squeezed her eyes closed and pretended not to hear the alarm. The alarm seemed to grow louder and louder the more she resisted.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

"Akane, it's time to get up."

"Five more minutes."

"You'll be late if you don't get up."

"Five more minutes."

"Okay, you asked for it."

TWEEEET!

A piercing whistle pierced her ears and made her leap high into the air. Her deep scarlet hair stood on end. The fog in her ruby red eyes disappeared and let them shimmer in the morning sun breaking through the window. Akane hit the hard floor with a loud blunt thunk. The remnants of sleepiness had been scared away, and her rapidly beating heart would not let her lay down again.

Akane rubbed the bump on her head, "Kanade, why'd you do that?"

Kanade stood over her sister, her silver-grey eyes twinkling with devious thoughts. Her black hair had been combed and styled into a fashionable bob style. The white shirt and black blazer fit snuggly around her chest, and the short blue skirt with black hugged her hips. A mild aura of annoyance emanated from her soft complexion and kind grin. This morning Kanade was holding a small whistle, which must have been the shriek that shocked her little sister.

"I told you to wake up," said Kanade, as she left the room, "Now hurry up. You'll be later than usual if you don't get fixed up."

"It can't be that late. It was just five more," Akane glanced at the clock, "WHAT! NO WAY!"

Akane ran out of the room, her deep red hair flying behind her. She went into every room and inspected every clock, every time piece, even an old hour glass that had been hidden among the antiques. They all said the same thing, it was nearly quarter to eight.

"I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!" declared Akane as she ran back to her room, "Oh, pardon me."

Akane ran past her older sister Aoi after nearly bowling her over. Aoi smiled kindly, trying to hold back a little laugh. Sapphire eyes glittered and twinkled to match her happiness and her deep royal blue hair was left straight and free to fall to her upper back. The eldest sister, and sibling, wore a light blue long sleeved shirt and matched it with a pair of black capris trousers.

"Forgot to change you're clock?" asked Aoi, her older sister.

"Perfect! All according to the numbers," said Haruka smugly, "And it's a seventy-five percent chance she'll be late to school."

"Oh yeah? What's the other twenty five?" asked Misaki.

Misaki and Haruka, the younger sister and brother of Akane. They were very similar and vey many ways. Even their hair was similar. Misaki having bright pink hair styled in a bushy pony tail and her brother Haruka had a light purple which was the same length, but he refused to style it. Together they put on their shoes and in their matching first year red-version school uniform they headed off.

"Geez, she's hopeless isn't she?" said Hiraki.

Hikari, the seventh child and fifth daughter, finished tying up her long golden blond hair into a pair of twin tails with blue ribbons. She fussed with her bangs and after a bit let them frame her face and aqua blue eyes. She was dressed in her elementary school uniform. A while blazer and skirt with golden trim.

"Wait for me, sis!"

Teru ran down the hallway as quickly as he could. The youngest son had spikey light brown hair and turquoise eyes brimming with courageous enthusiasm. He wore the same uniform as Hikari with brown trousers. He the picturesque elementary student but had a little peculiarity. On his right hand Teru had drawn a red circular symbol and often had a tendency to call that arm 'Jackal'.

"Bye, bye everyone," said a soft spoken Shiori.

The youngest and smallest, and possibly the most adorable of the siblings was Shiori. Barely knee high to a grasshopper with dark blue hair and magenta eyes. Shiori clung to Aoi as every went off. A little pair of pink baubles tied a few locks of her bob hair into a side tail. A light pink coat kept her warm and complemented the rose skirt and shoes.

"Bye Shiori, bye everyone," said Akane snatching her bag, "Where's Shuu?"

"He went off ahead," said Aoi, "Looks like you're walking to school alone today."

Akane whimpered a little bit as she skipped out onto the street. It was a town just like any other. Small suburban homes painted a variety of soft and deep colours went up and down the streets. Flowers waved to passersby in the breeze and the leaves of the trees whispered little nothings to the wind. The sun was bright and warm and everything seemed to be a great day in the making. Except one nagging little feeling.

That feeling of uncertainty that nibbled at the back of your mind. It was an uncomfortable feeling that you get when you're being followed. Or that feeling when something is crawling up your skin. That feeling, that pressure, that sensation that you're always being watched.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Ah! Not again," Akane jumped down a side road.

A security camera creeped out from behind a bush and scanned the road. It panned left and right, and up and down searching vigilantly for a red haired young girl. There were two hundred cameras placed strategically around the city and Akane could swear that the numbers were growing. She took a deep breath and waited for her heart to spot racing.

It's not as bad as it used to be, but still…

Akane sighed and went back on the street. She stepped stiffly down the road and in view of the camera. The mechanical eye watched every step with a cold hard gaze. Beads of sweat trickled down her neck. Her breathing quickened and shallowed. The once calm heart started to pick up pace.

"Good morning, Ms. Akane."

"Good morning!" she squeaked as she jumped, "Thank you."

"Hello, Ms. Akane."

Akane stiffened, "Hello."

People started to fill the streets as they went off to their daily business. Everyone that passed greeted her politely and made her stiffen up like a stone statue. Akane's social awkwardness and shyness wasn't as crippling as it used to be. Now she could return greetings clearly and didn't have the urge to flee into the nearest dark corner away from prying eyes, but there were still side effects.

"You should hurry, Ms. Akane, or you'll be late."

"Eeep!"

Akane looked at her watch. There was no way she could make it in time even if she was going at a full unbroken sprint.

I don't really have much choice.

Akane took a deep breath and concentrated. A red glow wrapped around her body. Small stones and pebbles rumbled and jittered around her feet. Her red twin tails began to float. Her eyes became determined and she bolted down the street. She defied gravity by floating in midair, a blessing bestowed to her by her unique ability. Gravity was her servant and with its help she flew down the streets toward the school. She zipped around corners, sped down straightaways, and flew over fences. She absolutely refused to go flying any higher unless she wanted offensive eyes taking a peek up her fluttering skirt.

Speaking of, they faster she went the more spirited her skirt became. Akane blushed at the thought and began fumbling with the fabric. She pushed down one side of her skirt only to have another fly up.

"Look out!"

Akane looked up and saw a shocked face. Before the world turned upside down, before a bright flash blinded her, the last thing she saw was red and black, and hazel eyes.

"Ooowwww… what was that?"

Akane slowly sat up, everything was still spinning around her. A throbbing, blunt pain pressed against her chest, her lungs tried to return to normal breaths. She listed side to side as her head slowed the spinning. Akane waited a minute or two before standing up. Her first steps were stumbles and she had to gab on to a lamp to keep from toppling. The hit must have been harder than she thought. If she was in this state, then…

"The person," she quickly perked up, "Are you okay?"

There was nobody around. The road was empty and everything was calm again. A few dreadful thoughts went through her mind, such as an ambulance coming to get the other person. But siren surely would have woken her, and wouldn't the paramedics pick her up as well. Maybe it was just a usual collision where both people were fine, just knocked about. Without anyone to check on or an emergency with herself, Akane started to head to school again.

No flying this time. Too dangerous and she only needed to learn this lesson once. And besides, she was late, very late, so there was no need to rush. Akane stumbled every few steps like her legs were suddenly a different length. There was also an oddness to how things were laid out, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Akane put a little skip to her step and continued on her merry way.

TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!

Rushing feet ran up behind Akane. It was probably just another late person. Akane just stepped to the side and continued walking, her natural stride returning.

"Hey, you! Hey, you! Stop!"

Must be talking to someone else.

"Don't ignore me! Don't walk away like you don't hear me! I know you do."

Wow, whoever's walking away must be a real jerk.

"Got you!"

Akane felt a tight grip wrap around her triceps. It was a soft firm grip, like a young determined woman's. It pulled her back and spun her around.

A girl with dark, wavy, shoulder length dirty blonde hair was holding her. Bright emerald eyes glared at her with a green fire. She was breathing like she'd just finished running a marathon. The girl wore a light yellow long sleeve shirt with a black bow and little lilies on a collar. A green pleated skirt with a little lighter trim. A pair of sheer stockings went into a pair of black pumps. It must have been tough to run so far in those. She was about Akane's height, but for some reason the red haired princess was looking down on her. The girl held on tightly, pressing her average chest against Akane's arm, like they were a couple.

"I finally got you," said the girl panting, "Now change us back."

Akane looked at her puzzled, "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

"That's not going to work on me. Not after so many times," she chuckled.

"No really, who are you?" Akane smiled, "And would you mind letting go?"

"Not in your life," she pouted, "Not after that stunt. Now, stop playing dumb and let's change back, Yuriko."

"Yukiko? I'm Akane."

"Akane? You really think I'll fall for that, Yuriko? You're in me after all."

"In you? What are you?"

Akane glanced around and caught her reflection in a shop window. A man as tall, perhaps a little taller, than Shuu was looked back at her. She looked straight into a pair of hazel eyes under scruffy black hair. He wore a bright red blazer, with golden buttons and trim, over a black shirt and matching red necktie. A long red line ran down the length of his black trousers.

Akane touched her face, checked her clothes and pinched herself several times. There was no denying it. The person in the window was her or him or her-him.

"Oh my God, what happened to me? Why am I suddenly a boy?" Akane cried, "Please help me."

Akane was on the verge of tears. She hugged the girl tightly and shook her. Akane felt a pair of hands against the sides of her head. The girl looked her straight in the eye with a fierce determination. Without any hesitation, Akane was pulled into a cold kiss. She closed her eyes and waited for the long moment to pass. When they broke away she was still looking at the blonde girl.

"So you aren't her. Dammit all," the girl cursed.

"W-wh-wha-what's? –"

"Okay, I know it's a shock, but it'll all be alright," the girl placed her hands around Akane's, "We're the victims of a prank. My name's Yoshirou, Yoshirou Yoshimaru. And well… you're in my body. Which means you bumped into her."

"But – but, but how's that even possible?"

"It's a very long story, now where did you… I mean your body go?"

"I don't know, I just remember crashing against you… this… I just got knocked out and when I came to, I was gone. Oh no! I'm going to be late for school."

Akane suddenly forgot her little predicament and started running off to school.

"Hey don't go running off," said Yoshirou chasing after her, "Wait for me! You're borrowing me, after all. Ow! Geez! How do girls run in these things?"

Meanwhile at the high school everyone was walking out of the main auditorium and into their classes. Red, and green, and blue dotted the sea of black blazers. They had finished listening to a long and perhaps mundane speech, but hung on every word. On the stage the speech giver still lingered.

He sighed a breath of relief now that everything was over. He was very tall and lean with neat scruffy black hair and grey eyes. The green neck tie he wore last year had turned blue, but the black blazer with yellow trim was still the same. A few heavy thoughts entered his mind, but they were quickly pushed away with the thoughts of a fun year to come, and thoughts of a particular little twin tailed blonde.

"Shuu, come on. We're going to be late for class."

The particular little twin tailed blonde stood behind him with hands on her hips. Bright sky blue eyes were framed under straight blonde hair. To keep her long fringe out of her face, she used a small flower hairpin. A blue bow matched her blue skirt, and a soft cream sweater vest complemented the black uniform blazer.

"Just because you're the crown prince doesn't mean you can be late," she teased.

"Why have power if you can't abuse it, Hana?" Shuu jested.

"Just what would your sister say?"

"Good point."

Shu and Hana left the auditorium together and walked down the hall. The king and commoner couple drew a few curious glances and a few whispers, but it was all in good, kind spirits. Everyone smiled and laughed and waved. Their class was on the other side of the school, not a long way, but when everyone wants to ask a small question it could take some time. It wasn't long before they had to start jogging down the hall, to the irritation of the teachers and hall monitors.

They reached the third floor and found Akane seemingly aimlessly wandering around. She was up and down, examining the trophy cases, which she'd seen many times before. There was whimsical bounce in her step and she was humming a happy little tune.

"Akane, what are you doing up here?" called Hana cheerfully.

Akane didn't seem to notice. She just continued dilly dallying down the hall with a grin.

"Akane, Akane, yoo hoo."

Shuu didn't bother to call out. Instead he sauntered up to his sister and tapped her on the shoulder. Akane jumped and turned around. Her face turned red, but not out of the usual shyness. It was a red shade like being caught red handed. She flustered and whimpered trying to find the words.

"It's you," she said, staring into his eyes and calming down.

"Yeah, it's me. What are you doing up here? Your class is on the second floor."

"Oh, hee hee, I just got a little lost," she knocked on her head and smiled, "Then I got distracted and –"

Akane just noticed Hana standing beside Shuu. The smile disappeared but she wasn't hostile or unhappy by any stretch of the imagination. Akane gracefully stepped between Shuu and Hana then followed them down the hall.

"Akane, why were you late?" asked Hana innocently, "You missed Shuu's speech at the opening ceremony."

"I had a little run in with a broad man," Akane said, "And not in the fun way."

"The fun way?"

"Yeah, the fun way, but not with him. We ended up hitting each other head on. Hmm… well I hit him I suppose."

"Is he alright?"

"I'm sure he's fine. So what are you doing with, Shuu?"

"Uh… going to class," said Hana raising an eyebrow.

"Just like you should be doing," said Shuu.

Akane grabbed onto Shuu's arm and hugged warmly. She was beaming after getting so close. The little tune was humming again as she escorted Shuu. Shuu and Hana had the oddest looks on their face and their thoughts were fairly obvious.

"What are you doing?" asked Shuu.

"Can't I show affection to the one I love?"

"Well, it's just you've never been like this before," said Shuu, "You've gotten better with people but still."

"Well I thank this is good," said Hana grabbing onto his other arm, "Akane's coming out of her shell and opening up to people. This is great."

"If you say so."

"You know, you're going to get a lot of people jealous with two girls hanging off of you," Akane smirked.

"When are you actually going to go to class?"