Duo leaned back in his chair, putting his feet up on his desk and closing his eyes. This had to be the worst school he was enrolled in yet. *There's no basketball team, the teachers have no idea what they're talking about, and worst of all, all the cute girls are taken!! I hope this mission's worth it.* He yawned, stretching.
"Mr. Maxwell!! Pay attention!" The order startled him, causing him to fall off his chair. The class burst out laughing as he layed there, dazed. He got to his knees as the teacher started to talk again. "Class, we have a new student from L2 joining us. What did you say your name was?" There was silence as Duo started to brush off his pants, then a quiet but strong voice spoke.
"Raksha Drusian." Duo looked up and spotted the speaker at the front of the class. It was a red haired girl around his age with green eyes locked on him, a small grin on her face. He blushed and stood, picking up his chair.
"Well, choose a seat and let's continue with the lesson." Raksha walked down the aisle between desks and sat down behind Duo.
The braided pilot sat down, and realized that Raksha was staring at him. He blew out a quiet breath. *This is going to be a long class.*
Later that day, during lunch break, Duo was talking with Quatre and Heero was writing something in a notebook when Duo looked up at the sound of a raised voice and saw Raksha snapping at a large teenage boy who was holding her by the arm. The boy shoved her books out of her hands and dragged her into the halls. Duo stood up, ignoring Quatre's questioning look, then raised his eyebrows when Raksha walked back into the cafeteria, rubbing her left hand and walking over to where her books were in a pile.
Through the open door, Duo caught a glimpse of the bully laying in a heap, groaning. Stunned, Duo sat down, staring at Raksha as she walked out the doors.
"Duo?" Quatre prodded, snapping him out of his stare.
"Raksha just smacked down one of the largest bullies by herself in seconds."
"What?" Quatre stood up and looked over to where a crowd was gathering, catching sight of one of the teachers helping the boy up. Heero looked over as well, his eyes narrowing in suspicion, then returned his attention back to his book.
That night, Duo was headed for his dorm but stopped when he saw Raksha leaning over a beautiful motorcycle. After a moment, he walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped and turned to face Duo, a wrench aimed at him. Raksha lowered the wrench, her eyes narrowed.
"What do you want?" Duo raised his eyebrows at this question.
"What do you mean? I just came over to talk to you." A startled look came over her, and she raised the wrench again.
"About what?"
"First off, where'd you learn to fight? I saw your little argument with that oversized jerk." She lowered the wrench again and unconciously rubbed her left hand, looking down at the
motorcycle.
"I picked it up as I traveled around." Duo had a feeling she didn't want to talk about it, so he changed the subject.
"That your bike?" She nodded, running a hand over the royal blue morotcycle. "It's beautiful. 650 Honda?" She grinned slightly.
"I see you know your bikes." She started working on the engine again, then looked up. "I'm sorry for almost hitting you with the wrench. Reflexes."
"So it's a reflex for you to try and knock someone upside the head with a wrench if they touch your shoulder?" He asked, his trademark grin in place. She paused, then looked down at the motor.
"It has been lately." Duo was thrown off balance at the slightly depressed tone in her voice. It made him look up at her from his examination of the motor. He caught sight of her left hand, and grabbed hold of it gently when he saw the large bruise spread over the top.
"And this is where you punched that idiot who was pushing you around this afternoon, isn't it?" She pulled her hand out of his quickly, nodding again. "Does it hurt?"
"Not badly. Just when I hit it on something." She put the wrench back in the toolbox
beside the bike and pulled out a rag to wipe away some oil, then grabbed a wratchet and went back
to work on the engine. She finished and closed the engine, then looked up at Duo. "Listen, I don't know how to say this without being rude, so I'll just say it." She put the wratchet away and picked up the toolbox. "I'm not looking for any friends, I don't want any friends, and we can't be friends. So, please. Leave me alone." She then turned and left for her dorm, leaving a staggered Duo standing in
the school parking lot.
Duo closed the door behind him as he entered his dorm, looking around the room. Quatre was tuning his violen and Heero was on his lap top as usual. Quatre looked up at him and saw instantly that he was troubled about something.
"Duo, you okay?" Duo looked over at the blonde Arabian.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Heero looked up at the distant tone in his voice. Duo walked past the two into the bathroom and turned on the shower, closing the door and locking it with a quick and hard snap.
"I wonder what's bothering him." Quatre wondered, turning back to his violen. *I know.* Heero thought, rotating the camera view on his screen so he could watch Raksha start up the bike and leave. *Why did she tell Duo to leave her alone? There's something about that girl that I don't like.* He stopped hacking into the school system and turned away from the lap top. *Duo shouldn't be making friends with people like her anyway. Or anyone for that matter.* He turned off the lap top and layed down on his bed, staring up at the celing and thinking.
Duo sighed as he wiped the steam off the mirrior, studying his reflection in it. *What was that all about? Why wouldn't she want any friends?* He picked up a brush and started to straighten his hair out. *Heero's the only one I know who doesn't want anything to do with other people. Well, Wu-bear too, at first, but Sally starightened that out. And at least Heero can tolerate a few people.*
He then started to braid his hair. *She was so jumpy, and I could detect some fading bruises on her face and arms. She was probably beaten by someone, maybe a parent. That would explain why her first reaction when I startled her was to defend. But she didn't seem to be the type who allows herself to be used as a human punching bag.* He tossed his braid over his shoulder and walked out of the room in nothing except a towel around his waist.
Duo walked over to a dresser and pulled some boxers and cloth pants out then headed back into the bathroom, closing the door and getting dressed. *Maybe she's a fighter.*
The American stepped out into the dorm's bedroom and sat down on his bed, grabbing the remote for the T.V. and turning it on.
Raksha usually enjoyed the feeling of racing along the road at night on her bike, but tonight......tonight it just wasn't as satisfying. Her mind was too clouded. *That Maxwell. What was he doing, trying to act all buddy-buddy with me? Damnit, why can't I get him out of my head?!* She cursed, pulled over to the side of the road and turned the bike off. She ripped the black helmet off, tossing her red hair over her shoulder and looking up at the cresent moon. A forlorn sigh escaped her lips and she leaned forward on her handlebars.
"I wonder...." She stopped in midsentance as she heard some bushes snap behind her. Pulling out a Colt .45, she turned and aimed the gun at where she'd heard the noise. After a few seconds, a sleek black kitten slipped out of the bushes and up to her feet, sitting down and looking up at her.
Putting the gun away, Raksha turned and got back on her bike. She was about to start the motor when a pitiful meow drifted up to her ears. Turning, she saw the kitten curled around her feet, meowing quietly. "Go home. Get out of here." The kitten sat down beside her boot and looked up at her, gold eyes shining. A single cry left the kitten's mouth, and Raksha melted slightly.
Bending down, she picked up the tiny cat, holding the little body against hers. The kitten slipped into her long coat, then poked it's small, furry head out of the collar, soaking up Raksha's body heat. Raksha grinned faintly, then turned on the motor and headed back for the school.
Cutting the motor, she coasted into the parking lot of the school, parking the bike and getting off. Raksha then checked on the kitten, who was asleep in her jacket. Pulling her helmet off, she headed for her dorm room, slipping in and closing the door. Thanking God when she saw her roommates were asleep, she pulled her light trench coat off, layed the kitten on her bed, and
changed into her pyjamas. She then climbed into bed and fell asleep with the kitten curled into her stomach.
Raksha woke up, the kitten still beside her, and sat up, yawning. She jumped and fell out of the bed at the sound of a large squeal. Getting to her knees and leaning against the bed, she watched as one of her roommates scooped up the black kitten, cuddling it.
"Where in the world did you find such a cute kitten?!" The girl asked, looking down at her as she scratched the kitten's chin.
"Actually, it found me." Raksha got to her feet and got the terrified kitten back. The poor thing was trembling badly, but calmed down soon and sat on Raksha's shoulder as she got ready for school.
Duo drummed his fingers against the desk, glaring at the teacher at the front of the room. *This is so deja vu.* He thought bitterly, ready to fall asleep at the teacher's montotonus voice. He could hear the person behind him writing something. *I wonder what Raksha's working on.* Duo felt himself starting to drift off, and his head started to lower towards the desk.
He felt a sharp throb in the back of his head and bolted up, rubbing his head, and turned to see Raksha grinning, a pencil in her hand. "Wake up, Maxwell." She hissed. Duo was about to answer her when the teacher snapped at him to turn around and pay attention.
"Mr. Maxwell, that's it. Go to the principal's office. I will deal with you later!" Duo just rolled his eyes and gathered his books, thankful to get out of there.
Sitting in the secretary's office, waiting to be yelled at, was a very familiar scene to Duo. He had been only going to this school for a few months and he'd been in here more then he'd been in class. But for once, there wasn't the annoying clacking of keys anymore since the secretary was out to lunch.
Stretching with a yawn, he jumped as a loud yell echoed through the hall. A few minutes later, Raksha stumbled into the room with blood rolling from the corner of her mouth, a teacher behind her.
"Where's the secretary?" The teacher demanded.
"Lunch." The teacher shoved Raksha into a chair.
"Don't you dare leave that chair until the principal comes in and deals with you." She snapped at her. Raksha just crossed her arms and glared at the floor. The teacher glanced at Duo, then left.
"What happened?" Duo asked. Raksha rolled her eyes.
"Some idiot jock was mad at me because the guy I punched was his buddy, so he started slipping me some threat notes. I ignored them, but then he started throwing disgusting ones, and I got mad. I stood up and punched him in the jaw, but I guess he was stronger then his friend since he only staggered. When he got his balance, he smacked me across the face and punched me back. I got even more mad and rammed him, then started pounding his face with my fists. By the time they got me off him, he wasn't fighting back." She muttered, wiping the blood off her chin. Duo grinned.
"That sounds like you came in contact with Kento. Very big asshole. I speak from experiance." She grinned, still staring down at the floor. Just then, the secretary walked in, sighing when she saw Duo sitting there, grinning at her.
"Back again, Maxwell?"
"What can I say, Mrs. Carver? I just can't get enough of your pretty face." The secretary laughed bitterly, then noticed Raksha as the old woman sat down at her desk.
"What are you here for, dear?" Raksha cringed at the 'dear'.
"Got in a fight." She answered quickly, blushing at the stare she was recieving. The old woman looked startled.
"Oh, sweetie, what's a little girl like you doing getting in a fight? That sounds more like something Duo would do." Duo stopped laughing as he choked in surprised and blushed, pulling out a chuckle from both of the women. Raksha then laughed for the first time since she'd gotten here.
"Well, dear. I'll let you go with a warning this time, but a pretty girl like you should not be fighting. Don't do it again, alright, honey?" Raksha nodded, plastering on a fake smile and wishing she could smack off the grin that had come back on Duo's face.
"Yes ma'am." Raksha left, muttering to herself, and headed for the parking lot to go for a ride on her bike, deciding to cut class.
"Mr. Maxwell!! Pay attention!" The order startled him, causing him to fall off his chair. The class burst out laughing as he layed there, dazed. He got to his knees as the teacher started to talk again. "Class, we have a new student from L2 joining us. What did you say your name was?" There was silence as Duo started to brush off his pants, then a quiet but strong voice spoke.
"Raksha Drusian." Duo looked up and spotted the speaker at the front of the class. It was a red haired girl around his age with green eyes locked on him, a small grin on her face. He blushed and stood, picking up his chair.
"Well, choose a seat and let's continue with the lesson." Raksha walked down the aisle between desks and sat down behind Duo.
The braided pilot sat down, and realized that Raksha was staring at him. He blew out a quiet breath. *This is going to be a long class.*
Later that day, during lunch break, Duo was talking with Quatre and Heero was writing something in a notebook when Duo looked up at the sound of a raised voice and saw Raksha snapping at a large teenage boy who was holding her by the arm. The boy shoved her books out of her hands and dragged her into the halls. Duo stood up, ignoring Quatre's questioning look, then raised his eyebrows when Raksha walked back into the cafeteria, rubbing her left hand and walking over to where her books were in a pile.
Through the open door, Duo caught a glimpse of the bully laying in a heap, groaning. Stunned, Duo sat down, staring at Raksha as she walked out the doors.
"Duo?" Quatre prodded, snapping him out of his stare.
"Raksha just smacked down one of the largest bullies by herself in seconds."
"What?" Quatre stood up and looked over to where a crowd was gathering, catching sight of one of the teachers helping the boy up. Heero looked over as well, his eyes narrowing in suspicion, then returned his attention back to his book.
That night, Duo was headed for his dorm but stopped when he saw Raksha leaning over a beautiful motorcycle. After a moment, he walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped and turned to face Duo, a wrench aimed at him. Raksha lowered the wrench, her eyes narrowed.
"What do you want?" Duo raised his eyebrows at this question.
"What do you mean? I just came over to talk to you." A startled look came over her, and she raised the wrench again.
"About what?"
"First off, where'd you learn to fight? I saw your little argument with that oversized jerk." She lowered the wrench again and unconciously rubbed her left hand, looking down at the
motorcycle.
"I picked it up as I traveled around." Duo had a feeling she didn't want to talk about it, so he changed the subject.
"That your bike?" She nodded, running a hand over the royal blue morotcycle. "It's beautiful. 650 Honda?" She grinned slightly.
"I see you know your bikes." She started working on the engine again, then looked up. "I'm sorry for almost hitting you with the wrench. Reflexes."
"So it's a reflex for you to try and knock someone upside the head with a wrench if they touch your shoulder?" He asked, his trademark grin in place. She paused, then looked down at the motor.
"It has been lately." Duo was thrown off balance at the slightly depressed tone in her voice. It made him look up at her from his examination of the motor. He caught sight of her left hand, and grabbed hold of it gently when he saw the large bruise spread over the top.
"And this is where you punched that idiot who was pushing you around this afternoon, isn't it?" She pulled her hand out of his quickly, nodding again. "Does it hurt?"
"Not badly. Just when I hit it on something." She put the wrench back in the toolbox
beside the bike and pulled out a rag to wipe away some oil, then grabbed a wratchet and went back
to work on the engine. She finished and closed the engine, then looked up at Duo. "Listen, I don't know how to say this without being rude, so I'll just say it." She put the wratchet away and picked up the toolbox. "I'm not looking for any friends, I don't want any friends, and we can't be friends. So, please. Leave me alone." She then turned and left for her dorm, leaving a staggered Duo standing in
the school parking lot.
Duo closed the door behind him as he entered his dorm, looking around the room. Quatre was tuning his violen and Heero was on his lap top as usual. Quatre looked up at him and saw instantly that he was troubled about something.
"Duo, you okay?" Duo looked over at the blonde Arabian.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Heero looked up at the distant tone in his voice. Duo walked past the two into the bathroom and turned on the shower, closing the door and locking it with a quick and hard snap.
"I wonder what's bothering him." Quatre wondered, turning back to his violen. *I know.* Heero thought, rotating the camera view on his screen so he could watch Raksha start up the bike and leave. *Why did she tell Duo to leave her alone? There's something about that girl that I don't like.* He stopped hacking into the school system and turned away from the lap top. *Duo shouldn't be making friends with people like her anyway. Or anyone for that matter.* He turned off the lap top and layed down on his bed, staring up at the celing and thinking.
Duo sighed as he wiped the steam off the mirrior, studying his reflection in it. *What was that all about? Why wouldn't she want any friends?* He picked up a brush and started to straighten his hair out. *Heero's the only one I know who doesn't want anything to do with other people. Well, Wu-bear too, at first, but Sally starightened that out. And at least Heero can tolerate a few people.*
He then started to braid his hair. *She was so jumpy, and I could detect some fading bruises on her face and arms. She was probably beaten by someone, maybe a parent. That would explain why her first reaction when I startled her was to defend. But she didn't seem to be the type who allows herself to be used as a human punching bag.* He tossed his braid over his shoulder and walked out of the room in nothing except a towel around his waist.
Duo walked over to a dresser and pulled some boxers and cloth pants out then headed back into the bathroom, closing the door and getting dressed. *Maybe she's a fighter.*
The American stepped out into the dorm's bedroom and sat down on his bed, grabbing the remote for the T.V. and turning it on.
Raksha usually enjoyed the feeling of racing along the road at night on her bike, but tonight......tonight it just wasn't as satisfying. Her mind was too clouded. *That Maxwell. What was he doing, trying to act all buddy-buddy with me? Damnit, why can't I get him out of my head?!* She cursed, pulled over to the side of the road and turned the bike off. She ripped the black helmet off, tossing her red hair over her shoulder and looking up at the cresent moon. A forlorn sigh escaped her lips and she leaned forward on her handlebars.
"I wonder...." She stopped in midsentance as she heard some bushes snap behind her. Pulling out a Colt .45, she turned and aimed the gun at where she'd heard the noise. After a few seconds, a sleek black kitten slipped out of the bushes and up to her feet, sitting down and looking up at her.
Putting the gun away, Raksha turned and got back on her bike. She was about to start the motor when a pitiful meow drifted up to her ears. Turning, she saw the kitten curled around her feet, meowing quietly. "Go home. Get out of here." The kitten sat down beside her boot and looked up at her, gold eyes shining. A single cry left the kitten's mouth, and Raksha melted slightly.
Bending down, she picked up the tiny cat, holding the little body against hers. The kitten slipped into her long coat, then poked it's small, furry head out of the collar, soaking up Raksha's body heat. Raksha grinned faintly, then turned on the motor and headed back for the school.
Cutting the motor, she coasted into the parking lot of the school, parking the bike and getting off. Raksha then checked on the kitten, who was asleep in her jacket. Pulling her helmet off, she headed for her dorm room, slipping in and closing the door. Thanking God when she saw her roommates were asleep, she pulled her light trench coat off, layed the kitten on her bed, and
changed into her pyjamas. She then climbed into bed and fell asleep with the kitten curled into her stomach.
Raksha woke up, the kitten still beside her, and sat up, yawning. She jumped and fell out of the bed at the sound of a large squeal. Getting to her knees and leaning against the bed, she watched as one of her roommates scooped up the black kitten, cuddling it.
"Where in the world did you find such a cute kitten?!" The girl asked, looking down at her as she scratched the kitten's chin.
"Actually, it found me." Raksha got to her feet and got the terrified kitten back. The poor thing was trembling badly, but calmed down soon and sat on Raksha's shoulder as she got ready for school.
Duo drummed his fingers against the desk, glaring at the teacher at the front of the room. *This is so deja vu.* He thought bitterly, ready to fall asleep at the teacher's montotonus voice. He could hear the person behind him writing something. *I wonder what Raksha's working on.* Duo felt himself starting to drift off, and his head started to lower towards the desk.
He felt a sharp throb in the back of his head and bolted up, rubbing his head, and turned to see Raksha grinning, a pencil in her hand. "Wake up, Maxwell." She hissed. Duo was about to answer her when the teacher snapped at him to turn around and pay attention.
"Mr. Maxwell, that's it. Go to the principal's office. I will deal with you later!" Duo just rolled his eyes and gathered his books, thankful to get out of there.
Sitting in the secretary's office, waiting to be yelled at, was a very familiar scene to Duo. He had been only going to this school for a few months and he'd been in here more then he'd been in class. But for once, there wasn't the annoying clacking of keys anymore since the secretary was out to lunch.
Stretching with a yawn, he jumped as a loud yell echoed through the hall. A few minutes later, Raksha stumbled into the room with blood rolling from the corner of her mouth, a teacher behind her.
"Where's the secretary?" The teacher demanded.
"Lunch." The teacher shoved Raksha into a chair.
"Don't you dare leave that chair until the principal comes in and deals with you." She snapped at her. Raksha just crossed her arms and glared at the floor. The teacher glanced at Duo, then left.
"What happened?" Duo asked. Raksha rolled her eyes.
"Some idiot jock was mad at me because the guy I punched was his buddy, so he started slipping me some threat notes. I ignored them, but then he started throwing disgusting ones, and I got mad. I stood up and punched him in the jaw, but I guess he was stronger then his friend since he only staggered. When he got his balance, he smacked me across the face and punched me back. I got even more mad and rammed him, then started pounding his face with my fists. By the time they got me off him, he wasn't fighting back." She muttered, wiping the blood off her chin. Duo grinned.
"That sounds like you came in contact with Kento. Very big asshole. I speak from experiance." She grinned, still staring down at the floor. Just then, the secretary walked in, sighing when she saw Duo sitting there, grinning at her.
"Back again, Maxwell?"
"What can I say, Mrs. Carver? I just can't get enough of your pretty face." The secretary laughed bitterly, then noticed Raksha as the old woman sat down at her desk.
"What are you here for, dear?" Raksha cringed at the 'dear'.
"Got in a fight." She answered quickly, blushing at the stare she was recieving. The old woman looked startled.
"Oh, sweetie, what's a little girl like you doing getting in a fight? That sounds more like something Duo would do." Duo stopped laughing as he choked in surprised and blushed, pulling out a chuckle from both of the women. Raksha then laughed for the first time since she'd gotten here.
"Well, dear. I'll let you go with a warning this time, but a pretty girl like you should not be fighting. Don't do it again, alright, honey?" Raksha nodded, plastering on a fake smile and wishing she could smack off the grin that had come back on Duo's face.
"Yes ma'am." Raksha left, muttering to herself, and headed for the parking lot to go for a ride on her bike, deciding to cut class.