Chapter One: The First Six Pieces
The store was buzzing with excitement
The store was buzzing with excitement. With Homecoming just a few weeks away all the girls at Madia High School were desperate for the perfect dress. Groups were bunched around the racks. There were no other shoppers. The people of Madia had learned a long time ago that when dances came around at the School the students would pack into the stores. It was a kind of a tradition.
Ashley, a junior at the High School, stood outside the dressing room stalls holding two bags in each hand. Beside her was Chelsea, holding three bags in one hand and two in the other. They were waiting for K.C., who was busy trying on another dress.
"Hurry up and pick one K.C.! You've tried on nearly all the dresses in the store!" Chelsea called, kicking the door to K.C.'s stall.
"Alright! I think I found one." K.C. waltzed out of her stall in her normal cloths. As a rule the three friends never showed each other their dresses before the dance. K.C. walked over to her friends, taking three bags from Ashley and two from Chelsea.
"I take it that we can go home now?" Ashley asked. She didn't like to stay out long.
"After we eat lunch," K.C. said a smile on her face. She was determined to keep her friend in the light as long as possible before she went into her hidey hole.
"Then we'll go," Chelsea promised, glaring at K.C. She wasn't very fond of K.C's forcing Ashley out even though it was about the only way Ashley would stay out of her home for more than an hour.
As the three walked through the packed store and into the open walkways they made their way to the food court.
"What should we eat?" K.C. asked. "I'm in the mood for pasta."
"How about a nice sea food lunch?" Chelsea inquired.
Ashley was silent for a moment, and then said, "I'd rather eat a nice juicy hamburger and ice cream."
K.C. smiled. "Alright. A hamburger and ice cream it is." When Ashley turned a glare on her she asked, "What?"
"You never agree so easily," Ashley replied.
"Well it's a trade off. I make you stay out of your house and you say what goes," K.C. told her.
It was slow at first, but the smile did come onto her face. Chelsea and K.C. smiled back.
Their personalities were as different from each other as day was from night. Ashley was the quietest, blunt, and hardly ever smiled. The only time she did was around her friends. Lonely from birth it was made worse when her parents were murdered in front of her eyes. She had fled to a protective shell she only came out from when she was with her friends. But in public places, she didn't want to stay out long.
She dressed in dark colors, but kept her hair a lovely gold blonde and always left it down and wore enough eye make up to have her lovely blue eyes seem to pop. Today she wore a red and black plaid mini skirt and a black top with a silver skull on it. She wore black leg warmers and white sneakers, and a sweat band encircled her left wrist. She excelled at English, Dance, and Choir.
Chelsea was always talking, never said anything she thought might hurt a person's feelings, and was almost always smiling. She was always a stand out person, but a lot of the times it was a fake attitude in order to hide her troubles at home and with her boyfriend. Like Ashley and K.C. she was a junior at Madia High, and wasn't too fond of any of her classes. She didn't have a job while Ashley and K.C. did.
Dressed in bright colors, as she almost always did, she wore a stand out yellow shirt decorated with multicolored butterflies, and low rider capris that had sequins in the design of flowers down the side. She wore white flip flops, had her long brown with its blonde highlights up in a high pony tail, and wore make up to make her hazel eyes stand out.
K.C. was by far the meanest of the three due to mistreatment from her father. Unlike Ashley she didn't use cruel honesty, but every other method possible to cut down anyone whom she didn't consider a friend. Not everyone was a victim, only the ones she didn't like and the ones who picked on her friends. She was almost always bickering with Chelsea, their personalities clashed like weapons, and wasn't afraid to let her anger get the better of her.
She wasn't fond of her academics but loved her sports. While Ashley's job was Club Entertainment K.C. worked at the All Fitness Gym as a coach for self defense. She occasionally taught Ashley and Chelsea, but they didn't always hang out at the gym.
K.C. dressed in dark, light, or bright colors and wore them in the simplest fashion. At the moment she had on a red tank top and black jeans. She wore white sneakers, had her thick brown hair out of her face with a head band, and wore no make up.
And even with these differences they were best friends and spent as much time together as possible, for it was the only way they could escape their sad worlds.
As they sat down at a booth outside of King Patty Chelsea said, "I heard we're getting three transfer students. They should be at Madia on Friday."
"So," K.C. grunted. "Unless they're guys I don't really care."
Ashley watched Chelsea with her blank stare, listening, her body tense, strands of hair falling into her eyes. It was scary when she did that. No one knew what she was thinking.
"Are they guys?" she asked in a monotone voice. K.C. stopped in the act of pulling opening her menu, her chocolate eyes on her friend.
"Yep. All three of them. I hear they're pretty cute too," Chelsea answered.
Ashley smiled a crooked smile. "Going to dump your boyfriend for one of them?"
Chelsea picked at her napkin nervously. Her boyfriend, Jacob, wasn't the best to be had. He had a temper that caused him to be violent at times. Whenever he was in a foul mood with Chelsea he would strike her or grab her hard enough to bruise. Had it only been once Ashley and K.C. might like him, but it happened enough for them to be watchful and for them to harbor a hate for him.
"Depends on how cute he is," Chelsea said, clearing her throat. Ashley raised an eyebrow but said nothing. K.C. looked from one to the other. When her gaze lingered on Ashley the blonde turned to her friend and smiled. K.C nodded and before Chelsea could say anything ordered.
The ride home was nearly silent. Ashley had her headphones on, and considering that K.C. and Chelsea could hear the music, they knew it was on so loud that she wouldn't be able to hear them.
"You do know what she's planning don't you?" K.C asked, tearing her gaze from the road long enough to glance at Ashley through the rearview mirror. Ashley had her face pressed against the cool glass of the window, her eyes on the passing view. She didn't see her friend's gaze.
"Of course I do," Chelsea answered. She looked down hat her cell phone as it buzzed in her hand. Jacob…again. He had sent her over a dozen messages throughout the day, asking her where she was, when she would be back. She was starting to get angry. She didn't like being controlled.
"I hope it works," K.C. said snappishly, glancing at the cell phone with irritation. "He has to go."
Chelsea nodded in agreement. She herself was getting ready to throw the phone out the window.
"Well?" K.C. asked.
"Chelsea said nothing as she typed in all capitals: I'll be back when I get back! Take five chill pills and wait! after reading his brief message: Hurry up I don't have all day.
When they stopped at the intersection leading to Ashley's house K.C. snagged the phone and read the message.
"You'd think he was waiting for sex or something," she said laughing. Chelsea growled and took the phone back.
"I'd rather sleep with a pig," she said.
K.C. laughed harder as she eased on the accelerator. "You might want to change that. Sleep with Jacob and you will be sleeping with a pig!"
"True," Chelsea, making a face and sharing in the fun.
K.C. stopped the car in front of Ashley's house. The teen hopped out without a word and quickly walked up to her front door. When she disappeared behind the protective barrier Chelsea said, "We should hook her up too."
"Yeah," K.C. agreed as she watched the house that hid her friend. "She needs someone other than us. Someone who will watch her, love her, cherish her, treasure her, spoil her."
"Don't we do that?" Chelsea asked frowning.
K.C. rolled her eyes and started forward. "In a different way. I mean, we can only do so much. She needs to know that other people love her, and are capable of loving her, besides us."
Chelsea nodded. What could she say after that? Later she would discuss with Ashley about hooking K.C. up.
They sat in silence for a while, and then K.C. asked quietly, "Does Jacob want you over at his house?"
"Yep. He want's to watch movies together," Chelsea answered. She could sense the protectiveness pouring out of every pore of K.C.'s body. "I'll be fine K.C.," she said softly, not looking up.
They sat in still quiet all the way to Jacob's house. Chelsea left her friend with a quiet good-bye. As Chelsea vanished behind Jacob's door, K.C. began to feel queasy. Looking at the house she thought that it laughed and mocked her for leaving her friend behind as she drove away. In the pit of her stomach she knew something would happen.
Tasuki sighed irritably and scrubbed a hand through his hair. He had been walking around for hours, it was getting late, and he now had to walk all the way back to Tamahome's house. He hadn't had the intention of getting so far, but bored to tears at Tama's house and not necessarily happy with the prospect of moving, he'd gone on what he liked to call an adventure. Chichiri and Tamahome would call it running away, and deeply thinking about it Tasuki knew that they were right.
Glowering at nothing in particular he stared at the perfect houses around him. I hate perfect, he thought. Just as he was about to turn around and retrace his steps two voices called out to him.
"Tasuki!" Recognizing the voice he turned to see Tama and Chi running towards. They stopped in front of him and bent to catch their breath.
"How'd you find me?" Tasuki asked in a mildly grumpy voice. Chichiri stood up straight and clutched at his side.
"We saw you walking down the street when we came out of Wal-Mart. We've been searching for you for hours. We got held up by traffic. Tama wanted to keep going but he would've been killed so I had to stop him. That was no easy feat, and you are a darn fast walker," he said, explaining completely although he knew Tasuki didn't really care for details.
"What were you doing?" Tama asked after his wind returned.
"Checking out the town," Tasuki answered, shrugging and turning away.
"Find anything interesting?" Chi asked.
"A couple of cool looking clubs, a freaking big mall, an arcade, a decent movie theatre, and some nice looking restaurants."
"Want to see more before we head back? We should take a look at the school."
"Which way is it?"
"In the direction you were headed."
Tasuki thought a moment, and then nodded. "Sure, why not? I would like very much to see the hell you two will be attending."
"You will be going too," Chi snapped a frown on his face.
"Come on you guys, not now," Tama said, slinging an arm around each of their shoulders. "Let's just take a quick look, and then we'll go to the movies or something."
"Fine with me," Tasuki said simply. Chichiri said nothing. The three friends walked down the sidewalk in silence.
The day had gone so well, there had been very little fighting with K.C., Ashley hadn't run away when they made her stay out, and Jacob had been fine when she first showed up. So what had gone wrong? All that had happened was that she had said no, she didn't want to, not yet. Why did he have to get so violent?
Those thoughts and many more like them tumbled around Chelsea's head as she lay on the floor, whimpering, Jacob looming over her. Her body hurt in all the places he had hit her, and from where she had hit the walls, floor, and furniture. She had bruises and cuts, and a desperate fear was starting to well its way up her body. She could die if this continued, he wouldn't let up, and no one would come to help her. She had to find a way to make it stop. She had to find help…
Decision made, she shifted to stand. When she reached her feet Jacob shoved her against the wall, pinning her with his body. Scared, knowing how mad he would get, she found the courage to push him away and make a mad scramble for the phone. She dialed as she ran through the house, not stopping. She would run until she passed out if she had to. It was better than risking stopping in a room, having him break in, and beat the life out of her.
Pick up; please pick up, she thought desperately. Halfway through the first ring there was a click.
"Hello?" the voice sounded anxious, as if waiting for a call.
"Ashley! Please you have to—,"Chelsea was cut off as something heavy slammed into her back, nicking her head. Pain exploded throughout her body as she hit the wooden floor, but all she could do was whimper. As she fought to stay shake off her dizziness and confusion a shadow came over her.
"You're going to pay for that," came a deep, angry voice. There was a skittering sound and a thumping noise as the phone hit the far wall. "You'll regret defying me. No one says no to me."
Ashley pelted down the street, her bare feet smacking the pavement. She'd known this would happen. She just knew it. Hearing K.C. say he it sounded like Jacob was waiting for sex had made all of her mental alarms go off. She knew it, and yet she didn't go to the house to keep an eye on her friend. That wouldn't have been the way to help her. But now that her friend had called it was okay. She could help her now.
Not bothering to evade them she dashed past three boys, shouting "Excuse me!", and without thinking about them ran on ahead.
Their loud laughter peeled through the night air. The joke hadn't even been that funny, but it did feel good to laugh. It's been awhile since I've done that, Tasuki thought, wiping tears from his eyes. On his left Tamahome had a huge grin on his face, while on his right Chichiri shook with silent chuckles.
"So what do you think-" Tasuki was cut off as something pushes past him with a loud "Excuse me!" He stared in wonderment at the back of a blonde girl who was running like hell was chasing after her. Without breaking stride she rounded the corner.
"What was all that about?" Tama asked, scratching his head.
"Maybe we should find out," Chichiri replied, a frown on his face. The boys took off after the girl. When they turned the corner she was nowhere to be found...but they could hear screaming and yelling. After a moment of listening Chichiri pointed to a house six doors down. "Over there."
"Damn!" Tasuki said. "She runs fast!" They ran up to the house, up the steps, and through the front door which had been broken in.
They froze. On the living room floor was the girl who had gone flying past--and she was in a tussle with a boy. Off to the side, away from the battle, another girl lay curled in the fetal position. Her arms covered her face; her highlighted brown hair was wrapped in her fingers. Tamahome moved towards the fight while Chichiri and Tasuki made their way towards the girl on the floor. Whey they reached her Chichiri knelt down and gently touched her shoulder. She whimpered and flinched away. Her arms were covered in bruises.
"What the hell?" Tasuki whispered. Chichiri looked up at him, his eyes wide with shock. Tasuki looked over to the fight. Tamahome had managed to yank the boy away, and was in the process of dragging him away from the blonde.
"Tasuki," Chichiri said slowly as he too watched the scene. "Grab her." Tasuki glanced at his friend in confusion, then returned his gaze to the blonde...and read the signs. Moving swiftly he made his way towards her but he was too late. Hissing like a hell cat she launched herself at the boy, taking Tamahome down with them. The deranged look in her eyes promised pain and tears streamed down her cheeks.
Tamahome wriggled out from under the under the mess but not without getting kicked once or twice. Used to the pain he reached into the fray once more and proceeded to tear the two apart. Tasuki assisted him. The girl was like a barnacle. He managed to pry her loose, and before she could struggle free, he wrapped strong arms around her waist and flung her over one shoulder.
"NO!" she shrieked, beating at his back with her fists. For a petite thing she sure packed a punch. "PUT ME DOWN! I'M GOING TO KILL HIM! PUT ME DOWN! LOOK AT WHAT HE DID TO CHELSEA!"
"Exactly," Tasuki said as he set her down next to whom he guessed was Chelsea. "Look at what he did. Right now your friend needs you at her side. She won't let me or Chichiri touch her. Just let Tamahome and me handle this." He backed away carefully but she made no attempt to move. She stared at him with pretty but angry eyes for a moment before turning her attention to her friend. Chichiri immediately backed away. Tasuki went back to Tamahome and the boy.
"Chichiri." Chichiri looked over at Tamahome, who had the boy pinned to the ground on his stomach. His voice was soft and angry. Without a word Chichiri looked about for the phone, which he found against the far wall. Trotting over he picked it up and found it on.
"I take it she called you?" he asked, looking over at the blonde and Chelsea. Tasuki and Tamahome did the same. Chelsea had managed to crawl onto the blonde's lap. The blonde nodded without saying a word, keeping her main focus on her friend.
In the silence that followed, broken only by Chichiri speaking into the phone, Chelsea's tear filled voice bubbled up from its hiding place. "Ashley...you came for me." The boys looked over and watched as Ashley tightened her grip on her friend.
"Of course I came you silly goose. I'm always here for you, you know that. I'll always protect you." Ashley stroked her friend's hair, oblivious to the gazes of the strange boys who had helped.
"The police are on their way," Chichiri said, breaking the silence once more. Ashley held out a hand.
"Please. I would like to call K.C.," she said in a soft voice. Chelsea hugged her closer.
"Jacob's in trouble," she whispered as Chichiri walked over, handed Ashley the phone, and sat down next to them.
Ashley laughed. "You bet." Looking at they boys as she dialed K.C.'s number she said, "You had better guard him. K.C. is going to be pissed."
Chelsea raised her head from her friend's shoulder. "Ashley! You just said the word 'pissed'!"
"Because I'm fit to be tied," Ashley responded. She smacked Chelsea on the side of the head gently. "And how could you think of that at a time like this? Hello? K.C.? Of course it's Ashley who else would it be? Hmmm, well, about Chelsea. You might want to get over to Jacob's house. What did he do? What do you think he did?! He beat the crap out of her! You can guess why. I can find out from Chelsea. Don't worry he's still alive. All right. I'll see you."
Ashley hung up the phone, cool as a spring lake. Her eyes on Jacob she asked, "Chelsea what set him off?"
Chelsea stiffened. After a slight hesitation, she whispered softly in her friend's ear. The calmness that had settled over Ashley disappeared as fast as it had come. Not speaking she settled Chelsea against the back of the couch and got to her feet. Chelsea drew her knees up to her chest and watched with wide eyes as Ashley walked over to Jacob.
The red-headed boy who had stopped her before, Tasuki was his name? stopped her again. His tall frame blocked Jacob and the boy named Tamahome from her view. His hands rested lightly on her arms and he watched her with amber eyes.
"Let me go." Her voice came out a dart secreted with poison.
"Not if you're going to kill him," Tasuki said softly. The others watched and waited, feeling the tension build. Jacob could feel his heart beating in his mouth. "What did he do?" The question came only so she could hear. Ashley eyed him, judging. Then she got on tip-toe and murmured in his ear. Gripping her arms he turned to look over his shoulder at Tamahome. Tamahome read the message there and his angry look intensified.
"Chichiri switch me places. I might "accidentally" break his neck," he snarled.
Chichiri stood and changed places with Tamahome, holding Jacob firmly against the floor. He didn't bother to ask what had happened. If he knew he would probably want to hurt Jacob too, and somebody had to hold him.
Some long minutes later K.C. arrived with the police close behind. K.C. was in a flying rage. Chichiri had to restrain her while the police questioned and arrested Jacob.
...
So all you wonderful readers out there don't think I am plagerizing(did I spell it right? You know that fun word teachers like to say when they tell their students to write an essay or a research paper? Yeah that one.), I do not own Fushigi Yugi.
Nor do I own the characters. Wish I did though. I would kill to be able to draw like that(well maybe not kill).