Chapter 1
There are many stories and movies that have the same cliche. The kind that, while sweet, can just annoy the hell out of you. Why do so many make that many? I'd rather have at least one where the character sacrifices him or herself. But nope. To upsetting. Real life ain't so great. But I always wondered how things were like a few decades ago. When Superheroes were outlawed. But then the Incredibles were able to bring supers back. It wasn't much of a big deal. But to my mother, I guess it did matter.
My mother, Midori Toshino was from Japan. She was a Superhero. She had the ability to control fire. She was called Kasai-Josei. Which was Japanese for literally "Fire woman". She had married an American man named Tod, and soon after. I came into the picture. I remember hanging out with my father. We always played with each other. He was the best darn father I could have ever asked for. But 7 years ago, he died when our house was destroyed by someone who wasn't identified. We both were affected greatly by it. So we moved from Japan to America to a city known as Metroville. Seriously? What kind of a name is that? Sounds like a city that a human like alien from a dead planet would protect.
But let's get back to my mother. After a few years of being here, she had gotten a reputation. As far as I know, she had stopped many crimes and burglaries. And even a nuclear missile. She referred to here simply as the "Flaming Woman" Many knew her as either a super or a regular spunky woman from Japan. But I only know her as my mother. Who am I exactly?
My name is Urabe Toshino. And like my mother, I was a super. But let's just say I like to keep my powers private. Yes, I had my own powers, but they were different from my mothers.
It was another day for me as I heard the damn alarm clock. I raised a hand and grabbed it, pulling it out of the socket before chucking it across my room. It made a clapping noise as it bounced before stopping. I opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling. Nothing but white. I turned to the left and saw the sun's blinding light shine through the blinds.
I groaned and rubbed my eyes before looking to the right to see a poster of Godzilla. I smirked a little. I stretched as I sat up, sighing as I heard the satisfying cracks before slumping down and scratching my rump. I looked down at my bare chest. I sighed before looking around and spotting a white tank top and grabbed it before putting it on.
Some girls don't go to sleep with their bras on. It doesn't matter. As long as a guy doesn't see it of course. I then stood out of my bed and began to walk to my door. I grabbed the clothes I wanted, walked out and began to go towards the bathroom. I sighed before walking in. After taking a shower, putting my clothes on, and brushing my teeth, I looked at the mirror. I saw a young 15 year old Japanese girl staring back. Who had fair skin, a petite figure, medium length unruly black hair that covered her left eye. Which left my right eye exposed. Yup, that's me. Urabe Toshino.
I looked at the clothing I was wearing. A red tank top covered by a long sleeved black leather jacket. Black jeans, and knee high boots. I walked downstairs and saw my mother making breakfast. "Hey mom." I said. She turned and smiled. I looked so much like my mother that I was practically her clone. It's just that the only difference is the eye color. While mine was a deep emerald green, she had captivating dark brown, nearly black eyes.
"Toshino." she said. "I made you waffles." My eyes widened as I recognized the smell. I smiled a little.
"Thanks." I said and sat down at the table. I poured the maple sauce onto the waffle and proceed to eat it. While sipping from Apple Juice. I couldn't have milk since I am allergic to dairy. My mother sat across from me and was eating from her own plate. I saw a mischievous look on her face. I narrowed my eyes. "What are you-"
She had suddenly gotten a fork and plucked a piece of my waffle from my table and ate it with a smug look on her face. I sighed and leaned back in the chair before lunging quickly forward with my own fork and picking a waffle from her own plate and eating it. She gave me a look of shock as I smiled smugly while chewing before swallowing. This was something we really couldn't help ourselves with. We were both children at heart. Soon we finished and were chatting. Which is something we do often.
"So." she said. "You like the poster I got you?" she asked. I shook my head with a grin.
"Seems you know what I like." I said with a impish smirk.
"I'm your mother Urabe Toshino. I know what you like and don't like. You've been a Godzilla fan for years. You think me, your mother, doesn't know what you like?" she asked playfully. We both chuckled.
After finishing it, I placed my plate and cup in the sink. I grabbed my backpack. "Toshino, do you wa-" she was cut off when her emergency phone went off. I sighed a little as she walked over to it and picked it up. "Hello. Yes this is Fire Woman." She said. She sighed. "Him again?" she asked. She nodded. "Okay, I'll be there soon." she said and placed the phone down.
I stretched. "You go get that bad dude. I'll walk." I said as I got my backpack.
"Sayōnara, watashi no musume o aishite." she said in Japanese. I turned to her.
"Okāsan o aishite, sayōnara." I responded as I left. I closed the door behind me and started to walk to the school. Even though there is an El-train station just two blocks away that would take me to the school within 6 minutes tops. It was only 17 minutes away by walking. Plus, I like walking. I only take the train if it's raining or I need the get home asap. I later reached the school and gazed at it before rolling my eyes and walking into the school. I walked into a room we call the "tree room" due to it having trees in it. I walked to my locker and placed my things in there before grabbing my school supplies. I closed my locker and started towards my first period class. I suddenly heard a familiar feminine voice coming from behind me. I sighed before turning.
I saw that it was Brittany. She glared. "Hey freak." she said. I rolled my eyes.
She was that stereotypical blonde haired, blue eyed spoiled rich brat who thought the whole world revolves around her. Her 4 other cronies were no different.
"Hey Brittany." I said with false enthusiasm.
"Why are you still here?" she asked. "I thought you were gone." she said. I raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, you hear that Jonah is going out with me tonight?" she asked. I could care less. Every jock looks the same. "Shame you won't ever meet a man like that." she said. I looked at her with a mischievous smirk.
"Not all of us just like guys." I said. "I like both genders." I said truthfully. It wasn't a well known secret that I was pansexual. But it was worth seeing Brittany's face turn to surprise and disgust.
"Perhaps one day, you could experience the world from my perspective." I said. She glared.
"No, I would rather go jump off a cliff then be a queer like you." she said.
"Hmm." I said with a shrug. "We all have our opinions." I said before giving her a smile. "So see ya around." I said as I turned around and head off towards my first period class.
"Hey, I didn't say you could walk away freak!" she yelled. I still didn't respond. "Jap scum!" she yelled. I stopped in my tracks and widened my eyes in shock. Irritation began to grow up in me. I felt my fingertips starting to tingle with electricity. "Yea Nip!" I could hear her gang laughing. I normally take name calling. But when I hear those two words, even I can't help but feel offended. They are extremely rude and disrespectful words to anyone who's Japanese.
But I took in a deep breath and calmed myself. The tingling feeling on my fingertips vanished. I looked at her over my shoulder with a warning frown.
"Be careful on who to call people names, especially racial slurs, because some out there, will not be as passive nor calm as me." I said to them over my shoulder.
I heard an indignant growl. "I can say whatever the hell I want stupid Jap!" she yelled. I just walked away with a dainty sway on my hips. Showing them that I didn't care.
Soon I grunted as I bumped into someone and heard a male grunt as well. I saw that it was Ellis I had bumped into. The only other person in this school that doesn't tease me. Who was also my best friend. Hell, he was like a brother to me. I looked slightly down at him since I was a few inches taller than him. I had always been taller than him. Even when we were children.
"Hello Urabe." he said. I smiled.
"How's it going Ellis?" I asked. He shrugged.
"Hmm, nearly shoved into lockers again." he said. I raised an eyebrow and turned to him.
"Who?" I asked in a tone that did not sound menacing at all. I am nice. But I am extremely protective of anyone I consider friends. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if it means protecting a friend. It's just hasn't come to that yet.
"Just Clint." he said. I rolled my eyes. Clint. The one that everyone stays away from, the one who will even use drugs in school. The one who is mentally unstable in my mind.
"Hmm, want me to go talk to someone about it, maybe Principle. She could help." I offered. She usually helped me with my problems. He shrugged.
"I don't know." he said. "Usually i'm too afraid to tell her as I would only get picked on worse." he said.
I understood that. So I nodded. "Think about it." I said. "But if nothing helps. I got your back if no one else does." I said. He looked confused.
"Thanks but. I've never seen you get in a fight." he said.
"That's because I know when to choose my battles, and when not to." I said. "Always know which battle to pick Ellis, and in time, things might turn out better." I said. He nodded.
"Thanks for the advice." he said. I waved goodbye as I head into my first period class. Another day in this hell. I only hope my mother is faring better.