'Reality'
'OZ'
It was hot outside, which is expected of summer. School was out for the season and it was time for yet another Jinnouchi family reunion. Kazuma Ikezawa sat in his parent's silver car next to his 3 year old sister, who was fast asleep in her car seat, holding a white rabbit plushie in her arms. His dad was driving and his mom, Kiyomi, was trying to read the map; their GPS decided to take a break for the summer as well. Kazuma stared out the window with his headphones on, blasting music to drown out whatever noise that was left in the car. He watched as fields and trees, and the occasional cow, pass by.
It was a long drive to the Jinnouchi family house especially with a cranky three year old. The scenery outside of the window started to look more and more familiar as they got closer to the house; Kazuma adjusted his headphones and watched as his dad pulled through the gate and up the driveway to the main house. The main gate had to be repaired after Mansuke, his grandfather, decided to drive a boat through it. The gate looked the same way it did before, then again, so did the rest of the house with the exception that there were more morning glories around.
There was already a truck, and a few other cars that Kazuma slightly recognized parked near the house. The truck belonged to Mansuke; it had the Jinnouchi Fishing on the back. After the long drive the occupants of the car were finally able to get out and stretch their legs. Kazuma was the first out of the car, his shorts and tank top sticking to his skin from the length and heat of the car ride. He stretched his arms and looked around at the landscape, nothing had changed from last summer, he turned around and his mom was busy getting his sister, Nanako, out of the car and his dad was already by the trunk removing a few suit cases.
Kazuma sighed and hoped that this summer would be more interesting then the past two. Which were filled with nothing but his family going on about ancient battles and the AI Love Machine. The only interesting part of the summer will be when Natsuki brings Kenji over with her, at least then he could watch him blush over the nonsense questions he was always asked by the family. Sadly, they were not coming until tomorrow. There was a loud crash in the house as three 9 year olds ran outside being chased by Mansuke, "Get back here you little brats!"
They ran behind a close by car as Mansuke looked around the area for them, "Sensei?" Kazuma questioned his grandfather.
"Oh, Kazuma! You and your folks made it out here!" Mansuke's smile took up most of his face as he walked towards his grandson.
Kazuma nodded and took off his headphones and put them into his backpack, "We just arrived."
Mansuke chuckled and rustled Kazuma's black hair, "Good and it looks like you got taller." Kazuma frowned, he was not that much taller, he only came up to his grandfather's nose.
"Grandpa, up!" Mansuke and Kazuma looked down, Nanako had one arm around her stuffed rabbit and the other was stretched upwards so that her grandfather would pick her up. Mansuke smiled and picked up the toddler.
"Hello Nanako, still have the rabbit your brother gave you?" he said with his usual gigantic smile. Nanako smiled and nodded, gripping her rabbit even tighter. Kazuma used the distraction to grab his duffle bag from where his dad had placed it on the ground and retreated into the house before anyone else showed up and the scene became louder. He passed the kitchen and heard some of his family talking and gossiping if this was the year that Kenji proposed to Natsuki. With a roll of his eyes Kazuma continued to his sanctuary. It was one of the few quiet places in the house, near the back and secluded from most of the other rooms, almost the same size as a closet.
Dropping his duffle down onto the wooden floor he settled onto a small cushion in front of a low wooden table that had been here for the past three summers. He took off his backpack and gently set it down on the floor in front of him, he took out his laptop and headphones. Pressing the power button, and plugging in his headphones, he got ready for a quiet afternoon in the battle arenas in OZ as King Kazuma.
Kazuma slowly relaxed as he defeated opponent after opponent in one arena and went onto the next. He started to smile after he defeated a practically flashy enemy.
King Kazuma watched his opponent before making a move himself, he darted to the right as an enormous hand slammed down. The avatar was huge, least compared to Kazuma's, and had bright neon green armor. The fans cheered as he ran up an armored arm before punching an exposed cheek. The defeated avatar flew backwards as King Kazuma landed, another challenger slowly walked off to another part of OZ when he heard the 'bing' and a familiar voice say, "New challenger: Identity Unknown."
King Kazuma turned his head and looked behind him, an avatar he never seen before stared at his back. The thin, raccoon like avatar barely came up to King Kazuma's shoulder and wore a black scarf and shorts, and a dark gray sash covering his eyes. His hands were covered by black fingerless gloves. He just stood there, waiting for King Kazuma to accept his challenge, "Challenge Accepted: fight will commence in ten seconds."
The other avatar took his fighting stance and waited for the bell to ring, signaling for them to start. King Kazuma smirked; this challenger looked experienced and hopefully would provide a decent challenge. Both fighters readied themselves before a loud bell sounded, the champion raced towards the raccoon, throwing punches and kicks. The crowds cheered as the newbie blocked everything the white bunny avatar dished out.
Fans cheered on who they wanted to win, the raccoon blocked a kick and grabbed King Kazuma's foot and threw him back, putting space between the two. The stadium went quiet as both fighters paused for half a minute, the raccoon was the first to move as he started to run forward towards the current champion, before he could reach King Kazuma, the avatar vanished. "Challenger Disconnected: King Kazuma Wins!"
The crowd roared as King Kazuma looked around for the unknown avatar.
"Who was that?" Kazuma stared at the screen where his avatar was still standing around as comments flooded the message board with "What a coward," and "I knew that new guy wouldn't win," and other messages supporting King Kazuma and bashing the new comer. He sat at his computer, hands still poised over the keys, ready to move his avatar as something collided softly with his back, Nanako.
"Big brother, what you doin'?" she looked at Kazuma with big, childlike eyes as she hugged her older brother with one arm.
He smiled at his little sister and moved her dark hair out of her brown eyes, "Just playing a game. Weren't you helping mom?"
"She told me to come tell you that dinner will be ready in half an hour," she smiled.
Kazuma patted her head, "Thank you, I'm going to continue playing, ok?"
Nanako nodded and toddled off with her white bunny; Kazuma went back to his laptop and turned up the music. He started typing up a message to Kenji asking when he and Natsuki would get here tomorrow when a message popped up on the screen, "Thank you for the fight, sorry about leaving early…had to leave to go to a family reunion," with a little raccoon smiley face at the end. It was from a person that called themselves Yuushu.
Kazuma replied to the message and smirked, "It's ok, as long as I get a rematch."
Dinner that night was loud and boisterous; Kazuma sat between his dad and Mansuke. Everyone was talking at once about when the other family members were going to get here, when Kenji and Natsuki were going to get married, and if Wabisuke had found a girlfriend yet and if he was keeping out of trouble for once. Mansuke was talking to one of the women about squid and launched into a retelling of a battle between the Jinnouchi clan and some other group.
They all sat around a low table eating before starting to play hanafuda, only Kazuma got up and went down a hall back to his closet. He, once again, was on his laptop playing in OZ and listening to his favorite songs. A message popped up from Kenji, "We'll be there by 3pm tomorrow, see you then!" Kazuma sighed, he was going to have to deal with a rude awakening come tomorrow. He was getting a little bored before another message popped up…from Yuushu.
Yuushu – Hey, still up for that rematch?
King Kazuma – Not today, just got done with dinner with the family…
Yuushu – They loud or something?
King Kazuma – Pretty much.
Yuushu – I see, sorry for leaving so suddenly from the last fight. I think the rematch might have to wait until I get to that family reunion…the connection sucks here.
King Kazuma – That's ok, more people are coming over tomorrow…so I'll need something to take my mind off of them.
Yuushu – Don't like people?
King Kazuma – Not really.
Yuushu – Then good luck, I know there is going to be a lot of people where I'm going…not going to be fun.
King Kazuma – I see, well good luck to you too then.
Yuushu – Thanks and I should probably get to bed now, night.
King Kazuma – Night.
Yuushu logged off of OZ and Kazuma leaned back on his hand, resting the other on a knee. He sighed and looked at the clock, 2:13am, bed time. Yawning, Kazuma picked up his duffle, backpack and laptop, his headphones still on his ears. He moved to his room down the hall from his small closet space. He stepped in the room; the futon was already out and ready to sleep on. He didn't even change into his pajamas before he fell onto the soft blanket and fell asleep.
CRASH. Kazuma woke up from a loud noise that came from the front room, "NATSUKI! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL YOUR SECOND COUSIN ABOUT THIS?" Shota was yelling about something way too early in the morning again. Kazuma groaned and fled further under the covers to block out the loud noises.
"I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING KENJI AND I DO!" Natsuki yelled back. The yelling continued between Shota and Natsuki for a while, some of the family members also decided to join in on the action.
After ten minutes of Shota ranting off about something Kazuma decided to actually get up, he was just going to get louder so there was no point in staying in bed. He sat up and rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times to clear the sleepiness and looked at the clock near his bed, 3:30pm. Carefully standing up, Kazuma walked out of his room and down the hall to the main living area. The air was humid and hot even inside the house. The family was around the table eating a late lunch, only Wabisuke and Natsuki's dad were missing.
Kazuma sat down next to his dad and quietly picked up some food and put it onto his plate. "Hey Kazuma, how is high school going?" Kenji smiled at Kazuma.
"It's ok I guess…" he slowly ate his food that was placed in front of him by his mom.
"Well if you ever need help just message me ok?" Kenji smiled and turned his attention back to Natsuki. Everyone was talking amongst themselves about sports, family issues or some business. By the time everyone was done eating there was a knock at the door, the three nine year olds ran up to the door.
Mariko stood up to follow the children, but at a much slower pace, "That must be Wabisuke, remember everyone, Wabisuke will be bringing someone with him so I want you all to welcome them nicely and the new comer as a member of the family," Everyone nodded waiting to see who Wabisuke brought with him.
Kazuma stayed silent and wondered if it would be rude to go sneak back to his quiet place, to his computer; his mother must have read his mind, "Kazuma, wait until you meet the new addition before disappearing and going on that laptop ok?"
He nodded and waited with the rest of the family as Mariko brought Wabisuke to the main living area with the rest of the family. Mariko cleared her throat, "Everyone you all know Wabisuke," Mariko addressed the family, "and he has brought someone whom I'm sure you all will welcome."
"Hi everyone," everyone voiced their acknowledgements; Wabisuke took a step to his left revealing a young boy that looked no more than 14. He was wearing a black and gray striped t-shirt and black shorts, his shoes were back at the door. His light brown hair fell down to his shoulders almost blocking his dark eyes from view. "This is Daichi."
The boy waved at the large group of people before moving to stand mostly behind Wabisuke and stared at a spot on the ground. Kazuma looked at the boy; Daichi seemed to be just as uncomfortable with the large family as he was. He would follow Wabisuke around like a puppy and not look anyone in the eye. Right after the introduction, Mansuke attempted to approach him but Daichi quickly moved to Wabisuke's other side to avoid talking to the larger man.
"Hey Wabisuke, is that kid going to say anything?" Shota asked, glaring at the newcomer, Daichi moved further behind Wabisuke.
Wabisuke glanced over at Shota and the family and sighed, "He's not used to a group this big, and he is quiet naturally." He turned to Kazuma, "Is there a chance he can just hang with you in that room in the back? I know it is quiet back there and he won't make much noise, he'll just play on the computer."
Kazuma nodded, while he was getting up Wabisuke gently pushed Daichi in the same direction that Kazuma was walking towards. The boy looked back and forth between Kazuma and Wabisuke before finally following Kazuma out of the crowded room and into the hall, allowing Kazuma to lead the way.
First "Summer Wars" fanfic, I watched the movie at school and I love it. I do not own this movie (however much that I want to). I'm wondering about pairings, I plan on keeping the KenjixNatsuki but I don't know about anyone else so if anyone wants to see something special I'll consider it a week or so from now (whenever I can start writing the second chapter because of finals).
Hope you liked the first chapter ^^ please review so I know to fix anything!