Author note: This is mostly going to be a first person story.
Sorami, a small town outlined with surrounding mountains. The people who live here are friendly and respectable. Although it was nice it was also very peaceful with little to no extraordinary events. If it was to be known for something I'd say it would be for the large practically ancient cherry tree on the outskirts of town. But then again what do I know, I only just got here.
"Next stop, Sorami." Said the bus driver over a speaker.
I then stood up clutching a metal pole next to my seat and took a look out the window. The afternoon sun shown down on the area. The town wasn't in view yet but what I could see was small green hills, some forestry and surrounding it all including me currently were large mountains covered in trees and shrubs. As the bus drew closer I started to see the tops of buildings and what looked like an old Sakura tree.
During my little look at the small town I didn't hear a very important phrase, "Hang on!" the bus driver had yelled as he slammed the breaks. Sadly at this very moment in time my guard was lowered so I was knocked off my feet into the pole and hitting my head most likely earning a nice little welt.
"Ow, dammit…" I muttered rubbing the back of my head and trying to stay up using the pole and for help. Looking around I tried to see what made the driver stop so abruptly until my eyes fell upon a deer in the middle of the road, its eyes practically bulging from its head.
I stared at it and watched it scamper off to the right of the bus into some nearby trees.
"Crazy animal..." I heard the driver mutter as he was about to continue driving.
"Hey I think I'll walk from here. You're already stopped anyway." I said moving towards to door looking towards the driver and motioning for him to open it.
"Fine, it's your funeral kid." The driver said opening the door with a lever to his right.
Stepping out and down from the bus the door then slid shut again behind me and the bus drove off.
I looked down either side of the road and started heading straight towards the town ignoring the road or any paths. It was a bit rough but nothing I couldn't handle.
Looking up every now and then I could see more and more of the town, but I was only interested in one building in particular, "Come one where is it?" I muttered silently swiveling my head back and forth until my eyes set upon the nearest building.
It was on the outer edge of the town with two stories to it. It was colored in a faded light purple with gray outlining for the windows. The yard seemed to be a bit above the average size of the other yards I could see. It was a bit odd from the norm but it was what i was going to be calling home for a while.
Walking up to the house took about ten more minutes of walking and going around to the front. I didn't bother looking at the decorations of the yard all I cared about right now was to go inside and find out what's going on.
As I stepped up to the door and knocked I thought solemnly, "Another family to add to my list…I wonder how long this one will last."
I waited a few moments when a woman opened to door. She was just a few inches taller than me, I'm only 5'11. She had a kind face with fair skin and shoulder long brown hair. She currently had on a simple red T-shirt and some gray sweatpants.
"Oh you must be Raven, I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow." The woman said stepping aside gesturing for me to come in.
I walked in nodding thanks and took off my shoes at the door, "I decided to come early, just means one more day to get to know you guys." I said plainly.
The woman nodded closing the door and walking off down the hallway and up some stairs. I took this time to look around a little bit and opened the first door to my right to find the living room. It wasn't that lavishly furnished as there was a small square table in the center, a TV on its own little stand in the far left corner, and some cushions around the table. The walls were painted a mellow looking lavender. All in all though it didn't look half bad.
As I chose to sit next to the small table I heard the woman calling out a bit, "Raven? Raven…" she called and then she appeared in the doorway, "There you are. I thought you might want to meet your brother." She said stepping aside to let a boy through.
As I looked him over the first thing I noted was that he sort of dressed like me. He had a white hoodie, red goggles on his forehead, light blue jeans and I'm pretty sure I saw some blue shoes that most likely belonged to him.. But aside from his clothing he had medium length blue hair that had some red streaks mixed in, the length going do to his forehead. His skin tone was oddly white and his eyes, well I can't really explain his eyes. But if I had to I would say this, they were freaking Prismatic. If he changed his angle slightly they would shift colors slightly as well, it was very confusing so I tried not to focus on his rainbow eyes.
Getting up I held out my hand in a way that suggested I wanted to shake hands, "My names Raven, but you probably already knew that. And you are?" I said going through a basic adopted kid introduction.
The boy looked at my hand and shook it lightly letting go after a second, "Lest." He said simply.
To be honest I thought he was going to say more, especially from the way he dresses. But I nodded and went to sit back down.
"Now that you two are introduced, I do expect you two to spend some time together, Understood?" my new mom declared.
I nodded not looking up, "Yea, I understand."
Lest nodded as well but didn't say anything.
"Oh and Raven you can call me Jade if you want." She said to me then turned on Lest, "Lest can you show Raven his room please?" she asked but it was more like saying if he didn't there was going to be a problem.
"Alright." He said motioning for me to follow, "Come on."
I got up and followed Lest down the hallway and up the stairs. Upon arriving upstairs there were four doors, two on the left and right. We approached the farthest door on our right and he opened it stepping in. As I walked in I was welcomed with an almost empty room. It was spacious with just a small desk in a corner and a comfy looking bed in the opposite corner from the desk with a standalone viewing mirror. It had some carpeting colored light brown. And the walls were plain old white. On the bright side to the room however, I had a small ten foot space balcony on the far wall.
"My room is across the hall from yours." Lest said probably saying so if I needed anything, "Bathroom is the first door on the left coming up the stairs.
"Thanks." I said and Lest left the room and entered his closing the door behind him.
Pressure was starting to feel a bit like pain in my shoulders so I looked to see that my backpack was causing the uncomforting feeling. I took off the black bag and lightly tossed it at the foot of my bed, which was mostly gray with very dark blue pillows.
Walking over to the mirror I checked my clothing to make sure I didn't look too trashy. In the mirror I saw myself standing a good 5 '11 tall. My Shaggy black hair went down to the tops of my silver eyes with red tinges on the edges of my hair. I had on my silver headphones currently wrapped around my neck the wire disappearing beneath my gray T-shirt and over that a white hoodie with a sort of dagger like design on the left chest area. My faded blue jeans with a tri-belt hanging off to my right looked a little dirtied below the knees and my gray sneakers looked worn and torn. Turning around I looked at the large black angel wing design surrounded by a detailed floral design, with that it covered my entire back.
"Not too shabby…" I muttered going to my backpack and sitting on the bed with it between my legs on the ground. Opening it I rummaged around until I found a pocket knife. It was probably only the size of my finger but it was something in case I ran into trouble.
Getting up I opened my door and went back downstairs heading for the front door, "Hey I'm heading out Jade, I'll be back later." I called out hoping she would hear.
"Alright be back soon Raven." She replied and I walked out the door.
As I stepped out and closed the door behind me I was greeted with a calm gentle cool breeze. I slightly rolled up my left sleeve revealing a dark red almost black wristwatch, the clock part on the inside of his wrist.
"4:36 P.M. I still have at least an hour of daylight." I muttered then looked west to see the sun almost touching the tops of the surrounding mountains.
I then started off away from the house, not entirely sure where to go. And so I walked, mainly to get a sense of direction in the town but partially to have some time to myself. As I walked and took in my surroundings I noticed a lot of small farming plots, and each time I would pass one of the farmers they would smile and say hello. Of course I would greet them back as to not be rude. I also noticed that the houses all looked relatively the same, just with different colors or slightly different layout. As I began getting into more a densely populated area I could see a three story building up ahead, it was probably a school. I'd be going there in a week or so when I'm more settled in. But for now I think I'll just tour the town see what there is to do around here, possibly find a quiet place to go.
So I kept walking going through small market districts, an arcade, a park, and I eventually arrived at my final destination, the old cherry blossom tree practically on the other side of town. It was in a clearing on a gentle sloped hill, the trunk wide and firm riddled with rough looking bark. The branches spread out and the leaves still attacked made it look like a slightly flattened green cotton candy cloud. It was quiet, apart from the occasional bird calls from unseen birds. I then looked at the setting sun as the top was about to go beneath the mountain line. Its orange and golden rays shining painting any clouds that were present. Checking my wristwatch again it had been almost three hours since he had left.
"7:13 P.M. I should probably start heading back soon…" I muttered. So I turned away from the tree and began the trek back home, this time avoiding playing packman through town.
-1 week Later-
I was in room in front of the standing mirror adjusting a stupid tie I had to wear for school. I never understood the purpose for school uniforms, they never made me feel comfortable just exposed. But today all I was going to wear from school was this tie. It wasn't anything special just a plain red tie. Walking over to my closet I opened it and grabbed out my hoodie and looked towards the bottom and found my torn gray sneakers. Putting on my hoodie I examined myself in the mirror, and I got to be honest, I looked stupid with the tie on. So I decided to screw the tie and took it off throwing it onto my bed. I then walked to my small desk grabbed my silver headphones and wrapped them around my neck, simultaneously grabbing my backpack from a hanging hook on the side of the desk.
Tossing one strap over my right shoulder I grabbed my sneakers and walked downstairs, "Hey Lest you ready yet?!" I called waiting at the front door.
A moment later Lest came downstairs wearing the full school uniform, Tie and all. With the red tie there was a plain white shirt tucked into some black dress pants with a black belt. Then to finish it off black dress shoes. Yea defiantly not my style but it looked fine on Lest. He still had his red streaked blue hair and those very confusing prismatic eyes. I've honestly spent hours just trying to figure out what the main color was but to no avail. I've also noticed that he sometimes copied me. I don't know why but it didn't bother me that much.
"Raven why aren't you wearing the uniform?" he asked with a monotone voice as he walked up to me.
Rubbing the back of my head I smiled nervously, "It's just not my style, plus I'm pretty sure they won't pester me about it on my first day there." I explained.
"Let's just go to school, Lest. I don't want to be that late." I suggested putting on my tatter shoes and opening the door.
It took us about fifteen minutes to walk to school. As we got there other students just getting to school like us stared at me and whispered to the friends, probably asking who I was. It was a bit uncomfortable but I guess I should have suspected it as I am the odd man out. Aside from captain rainbow eyes next to me. But he's been here longer so people would know him.
Glancing around at all the people staring at me I looked at Lest, "Hey, why the hell are they all staring at me? I can't be that interesting, can I?" I asked him.
"Well look at how your dressed, Raven. You aren't wearing the uniform, plus you're a new face to all of them so they're likely to stare." He explained not exactly looking at me
I nodded glancing around again, "ok then…"
About ten minutes later the bell had rung and I was in my new class room, Room C-5. Basically it was on the third floor, fifth class room from the stairwell. I currently stood in the front of the class as I was introduced by the teacher.
"Now class this is Raven Ōgama, and he'll be joining our class." She said in a friendly voice.
"Hey everyone, hope I get to know you all sometime." I said while bowing. Afterwards I walked to the far right corner of the classroom and chose an empty seat in that area.
Next to me sat a girl with short light brown hair just touching her shoulders. Her fair skin bordered a kind looking face with emerald green eyes. Her bangs almost reaching them. Her attire was the normal uniform with a small red tie, plain white T-shirt, dark red jacket, black skirt that reached halfway down her thighs and of course the classy black dress shoes. She looked over at me and smiled warmly before returning her attention to the front of the class.
I did the same and saw the topic for today. I just face palmed as I read the words 'Solving circular equations'. I already knew this stuff so a just leaned back on the chair, made sure my bag was hung on the little side hook and reached into my left pocket until I felt a mass of wires and a small metal rectangle.
It took out the tangle of wires slowly detangling them until it was magically turned into a pair of earbuds. I plugged in the other end into my I-pod and stuck one earbud into my left ear hiding the wire with my hand and jacket sleeve. I selected my favorite playlist and tuned out until lunch, I did pay attention here and there just to not arouse suspicion.
A few hours later lunch came around and as I looked around the classroom at everyone pulling out lunches I realized, I didn't have one.
"Crap…" I muttered, I then looked over at the girl sitting next to me, "Hey there's a cafeteria here right?" I asked sounding pretty stupid.
She looked over at me with a friendly smile, "Yea, you want me to show you where it is?" she asked.
I nodded, "Yes please, I barely found the classroom when I came to school today so I could use some help. Thanks."
So we both got up with me grabbing my bag, call me paranoid but I don't like leaving my things behind. We walked out of the class room some students staring at us as we left. It did look a little sketchy, I had all my things leaving the classroom with a girl with only a neatly wrapped lunchbox. We headed down the hall back to the stairwell, and down to the first floor. We walked off to left upon leaving the stairwell and she led me outside.
"Ok I'm guessing you not really showing me where the cafeteria is, are you?" I asked suspiciously when she finally stopped next to a bench in some shade.
Turning around she smiled innocently, "I never said when I'd show now did I, Raven?" she said making a point and pointing out a loop hole while sitting down on the bench.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other, Raven." She said reminiscently
Now I was a bit confused, was I supposed to know her or something, "Ok what are you talking about? As far as I know I've never seen you before today." I said.
"You'll remember soon enough so I'm not explaining myself Raven." She said teasing me.
"Well at least tell me your name…" I asked
"Sure. My name is Skyla Frost." She said simply yet friendly enough.
"Skyla Frost, it does seem familiar…" I thought, "Nice to well by what you say see you again. Now if you'll excuse me I'm heading into town to get some lunch. Want to join me?" I asked.
She jumped up from the bench and stood next to me, "What are we waiting for?" she said and we strolled into town.
While we were in the shopping district of town I saw loads of different stands from people selling bananas to watermelons, to dragonfruit. I decided to grab a Dragonfruit. It was kind of like a very small red pineapple, except just replace the spike with pineapple leaves and color them red. I was currently tossing it up and down like someone might do with a stone only much lighter. I had also gotten a rice ball and some water. Skyla and I were calmly walking back to school along a slightly busy street. All the sudden she whipped out a little video recorder and turned it on facing it towards me.
"Hey you should show me some of moves, Raven. Like old times." She said still recording me.
"What are you talking about?" I asked
"Do some free running. I know you used to do that kind of stuff." She said walking backwards now.
I shook my head chuckling, "Oh you mean that old thing… I don't know. What do you plan on doing with the video?" I asked suspiciously, "You're not going to download it to YouTube are you?"
"Maybe I will maybe I won't. We won't find out until afterwards." She said practically begging me to do it.
"Fine but just this once you can film it." I said as she steadied her grip.
"Ready." She said.
I nodded and handed her my single bag of food, "Hold these please…" I said as she took it.
I bent forward slightly glancing back at her with a smile, "Let's see what this terrain can grant us." I said and launched into action down the sidewalk.
About ten feet from where I started was a bench next to a six-foot wall. Vaulting myself up the bench I quickly scaled the wall doing a three second handstand and then tilting toward the bench again and launched myself off the wall with my arms over a casual bicyclist and rolling to a stop on the edge of the curb. Glancing at Skyla again she was motioning to keep going so before completely stopping I kept running in the direction of the school. Vaulting over obstacles, front flipping, back flipping rolling when I land from a drop, it was quite a rush. My last trick I actually wall jumped off another six foot wall and onto one of those roofed bus stops leaping over a few pedestrians as I got off and rolling to a stop as I saw the school just fifty meter away. Looking behind me to make sure I didn't lose Skyla. And as I saw her on the other side of the street I waved to her giving a thumbs up.
"You get all that?!" I asked across the way.
She nodded checking both ways before starting to cross the street. She held up her recorder with a big smile, "That was amazing, Raven. You never were able to do that much before." She said
I was coming to meet her halfway across the street and I noticed she was actually still recording. But I didn't know why. Then I heard screeching, like tires fighting to gain purchase on the road. So I quickly snapped my head to my left and saw a sleek looking red car barreling towards us, and Skyla was in a direct path.
Time slightly slowed as adrenaline rushed through my veins and I stampeded towards Skyla. The car going at least three times my speed.
"Shit! Come on!" I frantically thought as I finally reached Skyla and shoved her out of the way taking her place by extreme unlucky odds, and not a moment too soon as the red car made quick work of me launching me several feet into the air defiantly breaking bones. I didn't let out any sound as the wind was knocked out of me so all that could be heard was my body hitting the car and then landing gruesomely on the pavement. Everything hurt in my body as a lied there face pressed against the rough ground. My ears were ringing so I couldn't hear anything at all but I was sure people were shocked at what they just witnessed.
I coughed trying to look around but sharp pain just racked my head and neck and I could exactly move anything below my neck, "shit… so this is how I go out?" I thought. Out of all the crap I have been through it never crossed my mind that a stupid car would take me out. And as darkness overtook my vision I lost all sense of what was going on around me. Then full darkness. I had lost all feeling and yet I wasn't dead. How do I know this? I don't know.
Then feeling began to spread through my body. It started in my chest spreading out as if someone was dumping a bucket of water on me. I felt motion lifting me upward and stopping when I was lying at an angle. I heard a release of air as if someone had opened an airlock and I felt a slight rush of air. When I tried to open my eyes I was surprisingly groggy. Everything was blurry and once my vision cleared I was in some sort of capsule, like something out of halo. In front of my little capsule was a man. He had extremely shaggy blond hair that hid his facile features, and a pure white toga. But possibly the most noticeable was the pair of pearl white wings hanging idly behind him.
"Welcome back, Raven. Shall we begin?" he said.
Thanks for reading guys. Also if you've been on my profile page recently and wondered what the link was all about. Well now you know.