Author's Note/Warning/Shoutout:
There is gonna be some language, and for the sake of safety, I'm going to rate this as Mature, cause I don't know how much gore or "embarrassing" (You know what I'm talking about. Pervert.) scenarios I'm gonna put in here. And, yes, I am writing this up as I go. You have a problem about it, punk?
Enjoy it, or try to, or whatever. :]
Chapter 1: The Wheels of the Bus Go Round and Round…
Calt snorted. The bus ride had been winding around the mountain range for quite some time. The bus was filled with all sorts of kids, all chatting about what they'd do once they arrived at Youkai Academy. Only one student had actually tried to talk to him, a tall, slim yet muscular kid who wore a elongated bracelet of sorts. He was seated right across from him, across the isle. With dark hair and a silly grin, the kid seemed eager to talk to him when he boarded the bus and settled into his seat. So Calt made a conversation impossible by dozing off to sleep, and taking two seats at once. He didn't want to engage in pointless discussions.
Now he was awake again, and by checking his watch, he realized he'd been out for an hour. Since the winding road prevented him from sleeping, and his patience wearing thin, he decided to allow his consciousness known and let the kid to bombard him with questions.
"So, are you new here?" The boy asked, " You seem pretty tall for a first year."
"I transferred," muttered Calt. "And don't ask why, it's a long story."
The dark-haired teenager fell silent to Calts curt reply, pondering what he could say to brighten up the mood. He shrugged, and started talking once more, to Calt's disdain.
"Well, my name's Tsukune. I work at the newspaper club at Youkai Academy. If you're ever interested, don't hesitate to apply," The boy grinned sheepishly "Its tough to reach the deadline sometimes."
Calt nodded. "I'll think about it." In his head, he sighed and decided to let him have a chance. At least make a good first impression to a fellow student. All the guy was trying to do the same thing, come across as a friend.
"What's it like at the Academy? Bunch of nerds?" He asked. Judging from Tsukune's appearance, he doubted it. The kid was silly, obviously, but by his build, he was no nerd. Calt wondered what his true form would look like.
Tsukune shrugged. "Not really. There are tons of groups, from your geeks to your jocks. It's like any other human school."
Calt noticed how the student's eyes lost their focus, distracted by some hidden thoughts he could not understand. He decided not to dwell on it.
"Did you transfer from a human school?" The boy asked.
"Its a loooong story." Calt sighed. "But yeah. I don't wanna think about it." He was itching to find another topic.
"How much longer does this drive last?" Suddenly he became aware of how the winding road became more straightened and linear. A sense of relief washed through his body. He never had a good stomach for cars.
"Not much longer." Tsukune replied, with a smile. "Once we reach a tunnel, we're there."
"Right, the barrier entrance." Calt thought out loud. Silence fell for a moment, and Calt realized he had forgotten something.
"The name's Calt, by the way," He said, "Sorry for making you wait for that."
Tsukune flashed his signature good-natured smile. "No problem. I hope we have a good time at the academy together. Be sure to help me out with notes, will ya?"
Calt nodded absentmindedly. Sure, the kid had good manners, but he still hadn't gained an ounce of his trust. He never liked the concept of going into the barriers to study with the rest of his monster brethren. The thought of studying in the same class with those bastards sickened him.
"We've arrived…." The Bus Driver announced finally, in his usual ominous tone. "Now you two kids get along and be friends, allriiight?"
"Hehe, yeaah…" Tsukune laughed nervously, since he was closest to the bus driver. "Do you always have to be so creepy when you talk?"
"Its just how I work, kid," The Bus Driver said with a grin "Now you hold on tight, there have been fluctuations in the barrier lately, and our entry might be a bit more bumpy than usual."
"Oh." Tsukune said, crestfallen. Other kids quieted as well.
"Wait, wait, hold on. What do you mean by fluctuations?" Calt sputtered, oblivious to what other people were doing. Some were gripping onto their seats, while others simply closed their eyes and bracing for an impact.
"What do you think?" laughed the Bus Driver.
Only then did Calt see the maw of the tunnel in front of the bus, giving him just enough time for him to drain the color from his face, grab ahold of his seat, and brace himself for the worst.
...
...
...
...
As the rest of the kids got off of the bus and headed towards the academy, Calt stumbled onto the grass and moved towards the edge of the cliff. He was worried about the fall down into the red sea, but sometimes, when you're feeling this sick, you're oblivious to some dangers.
The Bus Driver laughed as Calt tried to composed himself and stood with his hands on his knees, head bent over the cliff, letting the cutting wind slice clear his head and quiet his stomach.
"As I said, take care and don't get into trouble," He spoke outloud. Then, to Tsukune, he muttered "And be careful, boy. Even though you took care of Fairy Tale, some battles don't always end so quickly."
Tsukune nodded solemnly. He remembered the fights they had to go through, and how much they had to overcome. He had hoped that the darkest days were behind him, after sinking Fairy Tale's plot to revive Alucard, one of the most destructive beings ever to exist. After crushing most of their executives and toppling Gyokuro from the seat of power, Tsukune knew deep down that just by cutting off the head of the organization never meant it was gone for good.
"Thanks for your concern," Tsukune said, looking straight at Bus Driver "I'll be sure to take care of everyone. You look after yourself, too." He stuck out his hand.
The Bus Driver was silent for a moment, then nodded. He was surprised of how mature and serious Tsukune could be. "All I did was drive a blimp." He said, taking Tsukune's hand and shaking it, briefly.
Calt stumbled into the Pumpkin Scarecrow, bringing the two men out of their moment of reflection. "I hope that was a once in a lifetime deal," he growled "I'd hate to have that happen every bloody time I come and go." His face was red, not only because was he still feeling sick, but he had just made himself to be weak-willed in front of a bunch of first years.
"Well, these sorts of things come and go as well," The Bus Driver laughed as he took his seat behind the wheel, "Just consider yourself unlucky for today."
With those words, the bus doors folded back, and the bus lurched forward, heading down the dirt road. Calt stared at it as it disappeared in a cloud of gust, his face unreadable, but the color in his checks were lovely hue of red.
"Come on, the school's this way." Tsukune said. Calt, paused, then nodded, and they started off. In Tsukune's head, hundreds of thoughts were swirling. The new arrival seemed to be quite the character, he already felt a pang of home-sickness, and he still felt a bit light-headed after the trip through the tunnel, yet everything seemed so insignificant when he thought of the people who he would meet soon.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to my friends!"
Chapter 1 END!
Mach- So there. My first chapter. This is actually a triumph. I'll update the new one whenever I feel like it, kay? I've got stuff to do!
Hallucination 1- Really?
Mach- Yeah. Really.
Hallucination 2- Really?
Mach- Yes.
Hallucination 1- I doubt that.
Mach- "sighs" Give me feedback, not sarcasm.
Hallucination 2- Okay. What is with the new guy?
Mach- Have you ever heard of an OC? Original Character? They are kinda the basis of all fan-
Hallucination 1- *Interrupting* I hope he doesn't turn out to be a sue.
Mach- *Sweats* I hope not... *Shakes his head* Anyway, people out there who aren't figments of my imagination, help an author out and drop in some critiques, alright? No flames though, I catch fire way too easily.
Hallucination 2- Really?
Mach- For gods sakes... Yes. So get that match away from me!
Hallucination 2- Hehe.
