I stared at the school, a light frown evident on my brow, yet no one could see it as my face was hidden under a large black hood. I may have seemed quite content on the outside, but on the inside was a different story; my heart was pounding, my mouth was dry and my legs were frozen. It had been so long since I'd started a new school, I thought it would be just like riding a bike, obviously I was wrong. I commanded over and over for my legs to walk but they seemed to have a mind of their own, 'walk, damn it, walk!' I screamed mentally over and over. After what seemed like forever, they slowly but surely slunk out of their trance-like state and began to move. My hands sat deep in my pockets as I walked slowly towards the entrance; many kids gave me strange sideward or wondrous glances as I walked by them.
"Hey!" One girl yelled at me from across the yard, I simply turned my head slightly and pretended I didn't hear her, some people may call it rude, but I call it protection. My black converse padded lightly up the stairs as I entered the buzzing building, everywhere I went all I could hear was people's voices and it really irked me. Pulling my hood lower onto my face, I proceeded to plug the small headphones into my ears and play 'Hello' by Evanescence on full volume. I then began to walk slowly to my classroom that I only knew as 1 – D.
Beep. Beep. Beep. I rolled my eyes, the only thing worse than starting a new school is starting late at a new school. Eventually I gritted my teeth and halted to a stop in the middle of the hallway of what I am now discovering as a labyrinth. I swallowed my pride and turned to the closest person,
"Hey kid, where's room one-d?" He turned to me, jumping slightly when he saw my hooded face and slowly pointed to the end of the corridor. I rolled my eyes,
'Gee, I must look like a complete retard.'
I walked towards the door, my heart pumping harder with every lengthening step; I held my breath as I slid open the door. As expected every set of eyes in the room turned directly to me and a small chorus of gasps were heard, I rolled my eyes and stepped in, flicking a small slip of paper in the teacher's direction, it did a few loops and twists in the air but landed perfectly in his open hands. I heard a few 'ooh's' and 'aah's' as I sighed in frustration and dropped heavily into my chair, crossing my arms and huffing slightly.
"Miss Smith, I presume?" The teacher asked, folding his now-read slip of paper. I heard a large amount of whispering breezing throughout the room,
"She's a girl?"
I ignored the comment and turned my head back to the teacher, "that's what it says, doesn't it?"
He nodded as a couple of kids sniggered.
"Uh yes it does. Class, this is our new student," he motioned his hand towards me, "her name is Smith Cody, she just moved here from Australia. I'm trusting that I can count on you to make her feel welcome." I shook my head at the way he said my last name first and slowly put my head to the table, pulling my hood as far down as it would go, resulting in people only being able to see my nose and mouth.
"Hi, I'm Tohru." I lifted my head to see the source of the voice, a girl sitting next to me with long chestnut brown hair and warm blue eyes was smiling welcomingly. I brought my head back to the table and rested my chin on my folded arms.
"What's her problem?" A voice asked quietly.
"I don't know but her electrical waves are beyond spasmodic." My body froze at this statement and I turned slightly, my arm brushed against Tohru's and she yelped as I accidently zapped her.
"Uh sorry," I mumbled, my hands started to shake,
"Oh no, just a little zap, no harm done," she began to ramble ominously with her hands waving in front of her face.
"As I was saying, today we are going to be watching Romeo and Juliet today." There was a series of squeals of delight from the girls and groans from the boys, I however was part of the groan crowd.
'Not if I can help it.' As he slipped the DVD into the player I smirked as the screen of the television smashed, sending glass shards in all directions and the mouth of the DVD player opened and closed wildly.
"That was strange," the teacher said, still in shock, "I guess we'll have to get the portable television." I rolled my eyes and clenched my fists, a faint crackle was heard and the lights flickered on and off before the room darkened completely. A collective group of screams were heard and I scoffed loudly, hoping they would hear it and realise how pathetic they sounded.
"No need to worry kids, just a blackout; I guess that means no Romeo and Juliet today." High fives and cheers surrounded the boys. I could feel a set of eyes on me and I turned my head slightly, seeing a girl with long dark green braided hair, her dark purple eyes were boring holes in the part of my hood that covered my eyes, I quickly looked down to the paper and pen on my table and started to doodle. An eye, a tree and a person with a sad face looking at the ground, a large black cloud hovering over their head.
"They're really good drawings." I turned the paper away from Tohru, who was now looking over my shoulder at them, I suppressed a scoff,
"No they're not, they're just doodles."
"Kind of depressing if you ask me." I turned my head to see who had said that; a tall boy with bright orange hair was leaning over me, inspecting the pictures. I scrunched the paper into a ball,
"Well no one asked you, now did they." He growled loudly,
"What did you just say?"
"Kyo," Tohru tried to interject with no prevail.
"Did I stutter?" I asked softly, a hint of mockery obvious in my voice.
"Why you little –"
"Kyo, I hope you are not being unpleasant to our new classmate." The new voice in the conversation sent shivers down my spine.
"Wow should I call the cops now or just scream out paedophile?" I heard a small snort; someone was trying to suppress a laugh.
"That was cold."
"Well, I guess I'm just a cold person," I mumbled, just as the familiar ringing of the bell sounded. I scrunched my fist back into a ball and the room instantly illuminated brightly. "Oh look at that, the powers back," I muttered as I rose from my chair, throwing the small scrunched ball of paper, landing it right in the small bin across the room.
It had been a long tiring day at school, but my day was hardly over. I still had lots of work to do before I could retire to bed to get a few precious hours of sleep, and then start the day all over again tomorrow. I sighed softly and began to trudge down the narrow pathway; I was exhausted, tired and jetlagged. So when I heard the familiar voice of a certain orange haired boy you can imagine how not-in-the-mood I was.
"Hey, you, girl, wait up!" I could hear the exhaustion in his voice as he stopped next to me, bent over panting.
"What?" I asked, my voice dripping with venom and irritation. He held one finger up as he drew long ragged breaths; I crossed my arms and tapped my foot against the ground. "I'm waiting."
"There is something different about you that I can't quite put my finger on," he said with a small smirk, looking down at me with big, red captivating eyes.
"Oh, is that all you wanted to tell me? Well thanks but I've got places I have to be, so seeya," I said with a small three fingered wave, I turned around only to have a hand wrap tightly around my wrist and twirl me around.
"Wait," his voice was cool and memorising, I didn't even notice when his hand had snaked its way to the back of my hood and yanked it back. I gasped as my long blonde hair spilled out and my face was exposed, his eyes told me everything I needed to know, my face was a shock to him, I was hideous – a monster. I grabbed his arm and swung him to the ground, kneeling on his shoulder I growled deeply, his eyes remained on my though.
"You don't ever touch me, got it!"
"What happened to you –" I shook him roughly,
"Got it?" I yelled maliciously. He nodded slightly, his lips parted in his state of shock. I stood upright, brushing the dust off myself and pulling my hood far over my face. I gave the boy one last look and turned, walking off and leaving him on the ground. Once I had turned a corner and felt I had sufficiently past him, I began to run, run because when I ran it felt like, one day if I run fast enough I might outrun all my problems, but it never works, no matter how fast or far I run, the horror that my life has become is all around me, and it's suffocating me. My running came to an abrupt stop and I crouched underneath some scrub, my breathing became long and ragged and it was painful as a lump had formed in the pit of my throat. I could feel the tears running down my cheeks and I pressed my eyes against my knees to try and repress the soft sobs that were quaking through my chest and the trembles that were shaking my whole body.
"Why? Why, Mum, Why?" I couldn't help but whisper it over and over again, hoping that somehow it would turn her back into the Mother I used to know, and I could run home to her warm loving embrace. I held my breath until I felt as though I was going to pass out, then let it go it one large exhale.
Kyo's POV
It was strange, the only encounters I had with this girl were horrible, yet I longed for more. I couldn't stop thinking about that long golden hair, big beautiful deep blue eyes and porcelain skin; even the scar, somehow on her face, it still looked beautiful. I walked down the street in a daze, just seeing her face in my head made me feel so... so, light, like I could just float away, until a soft sobbing noise pulled me back down to reality. I turned my head slightly; there, under one of the bushes was the same hooded girl who had been flying around in my head all day, with her face buried in her knees, weeping. I wanted so bad to go over and comfort her but somehow I don't think she would let me, I watched her wipe her face roughly, stand and remain walking, stumbling every few seconds. Deciding to follow her, I hugged the shadows and stayed invisible, all while keeping my eyes on her. A few minutes later she stopped in front of a soup kitchen, she turned and her eyes flicked back and forth as if looking for someone before darting in the door. I watched her through the windows taking her place in line, behind all the shabby homeless people, and gratefully take her small bowl of soup. By now she had taken her hood off and was smiling thankfully at the server, I watched as the beady eyes of the Man serving scanned over the scar stretching from her cheek down her neck with a look of disgust. This made me growl, but surprisingly she acted like she didn't notice and went over to sit with a group of people. She ate her food so quickly that I thought she would choke, but she didn't, I guess she was just starving. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her eat anything today, except this. I was ripped out of my train of thought when Lainey walked through the small doors and pulled her hood over her head once again. I decided to follow her, make sure she was alright. My hard eyes turned curious when I saw her stop at a fruit tree that was overhanging a fence-slightly, she stood on her tip-toes and reached as high as she could, jumping a little.
Cody's POV
My fingertips almost reached the apple I was about to grab when a familiar hand wrapped around it and pulled it off. I sighed,
"You again," I turned just in time to see the irritating smirk before he bit into the apple I was about to eat.
"Aw, you don't sound happy to see me," he mocked sadness and I rolled my eyes grabbing the apple from his hand.
"Ugh, give me a break," I took a bite and spoke the rest during chews, "you know I'm not happy to see you, didn't you learn your lesson before?" He shook his head innocently.
"Well, allow me to teach you another one." Before I had time to react Kyo had pinned me on the ground, "Ugh, damn Ranga!" I yelled, trashing about, trying to get loose from his death grip. He pulled the hood from my face, causing my blonde hair to drop out onto the ground. I felt warm breathing next to my ear and giggled as it tickled.
"Are you scared?" He whispered in my ear, I began to laugh harder.
"No, why would I be scared?" I could tell he was smirking.
"Because I'm stronger than you." I instantly stopped laughing as I remembered.
'"Because I'm stronger than you and there is nothing you can do about it, you'd do well to remember that." My mother screeched, ignoring my screamed pleas to stop driving the end of her cigarette into the bare flesh of my fore-arm.'
I could feel someone shaking me gently.
"Hey, hey, wake up," I could hear Kyo's voice distantly; he sounded aggravated but concerned at the same time. "Argh, come on, please wake up!" He was shaking me more vigorously now and I wanted to yell at him to stop, but I couldn't, for that matter I couldn't open my eyes either, or move my limbs. Panic overwhelmed me as I began to cry, luckily I could feel the warm tears running down my face and the small hiccups arising from my chest. I felt him breathe out in relief,
"Alright, you sleep. I'm going to get you into the warm, okay?" Content feelings washed over me as I closed my eyes and let the darkness consume me... secretly hoping I wouldn't wake up.
I woke, wrenched my eyes open and instantly closed them due to the dense sunlight pouring in. From what I saw in my milliseconds of vision, I was in a forest in Kyo's arms.
"The hell? –" I rolled slightly and fell to the ground in a cloud of dust; I groaned rubbing the back of my head.
"We're here." I looked around, seeing nothing but forest.
"And where might that be, Oh wondrous fire-head, your magical city of trees?" One of my pencil thin brows rose as a sign of mockery. He growled.
"You know, you are so full of it, come on." He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the dirt, a little more roughly than necessary. His hand brushed away a few low hanging leaves, reviling a very oriental looking house.
I whistled loudly, "nice place, carrot-top." He growled once again and grabbed me by the fore-arm; I winced as his thumb crushed over one of the more recent cigarette burns. The closer we got to the house, the further I pulled my hood down, a kid this age couldn't live alone could he? Well, I guess I wasn't one to talk.
"I'm back," Kyo grunted as he walked through the door, pulling me in tow.
"Oh, damn. And to think I was beginning to think you'd wondered off, oh well, guess I'll have to put away the champagne for another special occasion." I smiled at the remark, but the voice made me shudder again. A steel colour haired boy sauntered in the room, his lavender eyes drooping in mock sadness.
"Shut up you damn Rat!"
"Stupid cat."
"Tres harsh," I muttered. I heard a confused noise come from the boy as he looked around Kyo seeing his wrist wrapped tightly around my arm.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware we had company," he said calmly, bowing slightly. I yanked my arm from Kyo's hand and walked over to him. I grabbed his shoulders and stood him upright, feeling him flinch under my touch I quickly retreated my arms.
"Don't bow. I should be going anyway," I turned away from him, as I could tell he was trying to see under my hood. My eyes connected with Kyo's, or at least his connected with my hood, and I began to walk across the room towards him. He stood in the doorway, a small smirk playing on his lips, as he slammed his hand into the wall beside my head, obstructing my escape route.
"You're not going anywhere," he said, a slight growl to his voice, I turned my face to him, his smirk was wider now, exposing perfect white teeth and a set of sharp canines.
"Oh and creepy kidnapper of the year, goes to," I took a few steps back, raising my hands in the air, "Kyo, unknown last name. Step up and claim your prize!" I shouted, blowing air through my hands making a cheering sound effect.
"Why you little –" he lunged for me; I ducked and weaved, finishing with a well rounded flip for effect. He stood dumfounded,
"Have to be faster than that."
A sickly-sweet voice fang through the room, "Do we have guests? Because I –" She stared at me in confusion and awe, a 'what is she doing here?' vibe surrounding her. I grasped the end of my sleeves in nervousness; there is no worse feeling when you turn up somewhere unexpectedly. "Uh, hi," she said cheerfully, her eyes closed, mouth wide open and hand in a small wave. "Will you be joining us for supper?"
"Uh no, I've got to go," I muttered awkwardly turning away quickly, only to have my shoulder grabbed by Kyo.
"I told you, you're not going anywhere." I growled loudly, getting a small taunting laugh in return.
"Oh yes, please stay." An unfamiliar, again cheery voice joined the conversation. I turned quickly, a tall man with black hair and big onyx eyes, he had a childish aura enveloping him. "And what is your name?"
"Uh, Cody Smith," Wow, I actually had to think about that, "and you are?"
"Shigure Sohma. Is that an Australian accent I detect?" He asked enthusiastically, I nodded. Kyo's hand was still grasped firmly around my shoulder, but after a few moments it began to loosen, I was feeling relieved until in one swift movement he had pulled the hood down, exposing my face. I attempted to hide it but it didn't stop the surprise, shock and amazement spreading over everyone's faces.
A hand curled itself around mine and I looked down to see a kneeling Shigure with anime tears pouring from his eyes. "My home has been graced with the beauty of a goddess." I heard Kyo open his mouth to say something but I bet him to it.
Calmly I pulled my hand from Shigure's grasp, "cool it, pervert." I saw Kyo smirk from the corner of my eye.
"Oh, won't you please join us for supper?" Shigure was still kneeling in front of me, but now he was hugging my leg, the anime tears still running down his cheeks. In one swift movement Kyo whacked him upside the head and he fell to the floor in a daze. I shook my head.
"Um, no I've really –" I was cut off by a hand covering my mouth.
"She'll stay." I growled and licked his hand, "sorry, not gonna work on me." I bit down on the skin of his hand, hard. He screamed and yanked his hand away from me, I laughed slightly and took a step forward just in time for Kyo to fall to the ground from his attempted lunge.
I smirked and kneeled next to him, my eyes closed lightly, "again, got to be quicker than that," I said poking him in the forehead. His arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me to the floor,
"You should learn not to get so cocky." I growled and pushed myself away from him.
"Well, that's no problem at all. The others are coming for dinner tonight so I'll just prepare a bit more. Do you like rice balls and Miso Ramen, Cody?"
'The others?'
"Um, I've never had them but anything is good; Thankyou Tohru." She smiled largely, a blush spreading across her nose.
"Oh no, it's really no trouble at all." I smiled, but from the corner of my eye I could see the boy with the shaggy purple hair staring at the scar that spoiled my face. I turned to him and he instantly looked to the floor, trying to cover up that he had been staring. I walked over to him quietly,
"I didn't get your name," I said, holding my hand out politely. He accepted it, wrapping his soft hand around mine,
"Yuki," he said with a small smile.
A soft knock at the door drew my attention and I turned to look at the thin double doors.
"Ha'ri!" Shigure screamed very child-like, bounding to the doors. I raised an eyebrow at his strange actions,
"How old did you say you are again?" I asked with my arms crossed. He turned from the door he was about to open.
"Twenty-seven," he announced with a huge immature grin plastered across his face.
"Gee," I muttered, "could have fooled me." I heard giggling and looked over to Tohru, who had her hand over her mouth and her eyes shut, her body flickered from small jitters and I knew it was her.
"Greetings Ha'ri, Haru, Momiji," Shigure greeted bowing furiously like an idiot.
"God you people have weird names," I said watching the people enter the room, first entered a tall, attractive man with longish black hair that covered his left eye; following him came a tall adolescent boy with black and white hair, and a small boy with beautiful blonde hair and a lollipop jutting from his mouth.
"Miss Smith, isn't that statement slightly racist?" I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.
"Heh, yeah I guess it is." Kyo fell to the ground in a crumpled heap causing me to smirk. He jumped back up rapidly,
"You know, Cody ain't that normal either." I laughed slightly in amusement.
"Shigure, Shigure, who's this?" I felt a tugging at my hoodie and looked too see a mop of golden blonde hair.
"Oh, this is Cody. Cody, this is Momiji, Hatori and Hatsuharu." He gestured to each of them and they didn't fail to nod or bow slightly politely, I waved slightly.
"You know, you're really pretty." I jumped slightly as a small hand caressed my face, I looked down slightly, Momiji wasn't much shorter than me, but that doesn't mean much considering in primary school my nickname was munchkin.
"Well aren't you just a little heartbreaker."
"Argh, Momiji you little perv!" Kyo yelled hitting him rather hard on the head and pulling him into a headlock.
"Waaaa, Haru, Kyo's hitting me," Momiji whined loudly.
"Kyo let go of the kid."
"What're you gonna do about it?"
"I'll fight you; I seem to remember you backed out of our last fight!"
"Black Haru," Everybody muttered, with blank stares on their faces.
My eyes widened and I turned to them, "whoa, that was uncalled for, and you though what I said was racist."
"I did not. I'll fight you right now!" They both lunged for each other throwing extremely precise punches and kicks. All the while I stood with my mouth wide open.
"Wow, I would really hate to see what it's like at Christmas." Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed my hips roughly and lips were pulled over mine, I pushed Haru off of me and pulled my fist back, I threw it forward and winced as it hit his nose and he fell to the floor.