Author Note: I really like the ideas involved in this chapter, but I'm not sure I did it justice. This one is rated T for swearing.
Nonon was angry. No, angry wasn't a good word. She didn't really know how to feel; it was kind of a whole jumble of angry and sad and lonely and confused all at the same time.
She just finished her first day of junior high, which should've been an exciting day. It would've been if not for the absence of one important person.
Satsuki hadn't been in any of Nonon's classes and didn't answer her phone when she called. She went to the main office to inquire about Satsuki's whereabouts, but they had no record of her even attending the school.
It seemed she'd been abandoned.
Her first reaction was disbelief. Satsuki said she'd be going to this school and that they'd be in the same class together, there was no way that wasn't true. But the office insisted that Satsuki declined to attend their school. They didn't understand why; their junior high school was the best one in Japan. They also didn't know where the other girl was enrolled instead and threw Nonon out of the office for asking over and over again.
Her second reaction was to feel shocked. She stumbled into a wall outside the office, ignoring the stares of her fellow students. How could this happen? Did Satsuki not want to be friends anymore? Was this what a bad breakup felt like? The mere thought was depressing. Nonon even had a good idea for a new song that would express the feeling, but that would have to wait for a different time.
The third reaction Nonon had was to lash out in pure rage. How dare Satsuki leave her behind like this!? When she found her she was gonna make her pay! She wasn't sure how, but she was definitely going to do it. Satsuki wouldn't get away with this!
With that thought in mind, Nonon set out for the Kiryuin mansion. Someone there would certainly be able to tell her where to find the missing girl. The Jakuzure family driver was able to take her there, and when she arrived she rang the doorbell impatiently. Much to her surprise, Ragyou opened the door.
"Jakuzure." Her hair glowed like a rainbow as she looked down at the pre-teen girl with veiled disdain. "What can I do for you?"
Nonon decided to play it cool. "Satsuki didn't come to school today, so I got worried." She put on her best concerned expression. "Is she okay?" Hopefully that would get Ragyou to spill the beans, though Nonon was still hoping it wasn't true.
"O, she didn't tell you?" The corner of Ragyou's mouth lifted slightly. "Last week she decided to transfer schools." The older womans smile grew as she hammered the final nails into Nonon's optimism. Her anger faded into one final emotion, which was debilitating depression.
She'd truly been abandoned; thrown away like a handful of sand. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to make a fool of her in front of Satsuki's mother. Oh well, not like it mattered anymore.
"I really am surprised she didn't tell you." Ragyou didn't seem bothered by the prospect of tears. "You could always transfer too, you know."
"Really?" It was an interesting idea, but a risky one. Finding Satsuki was worth the risk. "How do I do that?"
"I'll help you." Ragyou stepped back and gestured into the mansion. "Come on in."
After only a week of junior high, Satsuki was almost completely used to it. The school had fallen into her control quickly, and the classwork was only a little harder than the year before.
Not having Nonon around would take getting used to, but it was for the best. Nonon wanted to be a musician; she didn't need to get involved with the battle against Ragyou. She would be safer if she never knew.
At least, that's what Satsuki told herself. The only way to ensure Nonon's safety would be if Satsuki stopped talking to her or seeing her at all. Satsuki was resolved to tough it out, but it was hard.
Nonon was her only friend. They hung out all the time, had sleepovers, talked about stuff, went for walks, and did lots of other things. Satsuki had turned to her right the other day, about to say something to Nonon, but stopped dead halfway through her sentence.
Nonon wasn't there and would never be there again.
She kept reminding herself that this was for Nonon's own good, and that was how it should be. The thought sent pangs of loneliness through her soul.
The Monday after the first weekend of the school year the teacher announced that they'd be receiving a transfer student. Satsuki fought to keep a straight face as the new student walked in the door.
"My name is Jakuzure Nonon, it's nice to meet you." She introduced herself in a standard way. Nonon didn't look in Satsuki's direction, instead keeping her eyes straight ahead.
The teacher assigned her a seat on the other side of the room from Satsuki, who'd lost her battle with composure and was now openly gaping. She couldn't believe it. How did Nonon find her? Why was she here? What was going to happen now? Even through her surprise and fear Satsuki still felt a surge of happiness. Despite her efforts to cover her tracks, Nonon had still found her.
For some reason Nonon wouldn't make eye contact with her, but that could just be for appearances. As class continued on, Satsuki felt a resurgence of the conflicted feelings she'd suffered from all summer. Hadn't she done this to keep Nonon safe? And now Nonon was here, putting herself directly in the line of fire.
Before Satsuki knew it lunch time arrived. She approached Nonon's desk, where the pink haired girl was sorting through some papers.
"Jakuzure." Satsuki couldn't think of anything else to say, which was strange for her.
"Have we met?" Nonon made a confused expression, but something was off. As she finally made eye contact, Satsuki noticed that her eyes glinted with anger.
"I…" Why couldn't she say something? What was happening to her? "We…" Nope, she couldn't do it. How do you go about telling someone who you abandoned that you only did it for their own safety and they really need to go back? It was especially hard if that person was so angry they were pretending not to know you. Satsuki didn't even know where to start.
"I gotta go." Nonon sidled out of her desk seat. "Later." She walked away stiffly and didn't look back. Satsuki watched her go while cursing her poor relationship skills. After gathering up her school bag Satsuki headed for the most comforting place in the school.
There wasn't anybody on the roof when she got there, which suited her just fine. It was best to be alone anyway. She sat down near the fence, eating the lunch she packed herself in peace.
Satsuki didn't go back to class that day, taking some time to think things through instead. The other girl had every right to be angry and ignore her, but why would she transfer schools to do that? It didn't make sense to Satsuki, but as long as Nonon kept her distance everything would be fine. She didn't realize how long she'd been brooding until a small voice interrupted her silence.
"I know I'd find you up here." Nonon came out from the stairwell, hands tucked sheepishly behind her back.
"You know who I am now?" Satsuki couldn't help but bite back.
"I was… angry." Nonon scuffed one shoe on the cement. "But it felt wrong. I couldn't do it."
Satsuki stood up, turning towards her friend. "Are you still angry?"
"A little." Nonon admitted. "But mostly I'm confused." She clenched both of her fists. "Why did you leave me behind?" The young girl stood tall despite her trembling lower lip.
Satsuki hesitated, wondering what to tell her. "It's best this way." Was what she settled on. The less Nonon knew the better. In fact, if Satsuki could convince her to transfer schools that would be the best option.
"I don't believe that." Nonon shook her head vigorously. "How is this the best!?"
"It's complicated." Satsuki admitted before changing the subject. "How did you find me here?"
"Your Mom told me."
A chill ran down Satsuki's spine. Well fuck, she thought to herself, fuck fuck fuck. She wouldn't normally swear but this occasion seemed appropriate. Nonon had been with Ragyou. What had her mother said to the girl? What had she done? When Satsuki turned back Nonon was still talking.
"And then she helped me transfer here, which was kind of nice I guess." She walked over to Satsuki with a worried expression. "Are you alright? You look pale." She reached one hand to put it on Satsuki's forehead, but the other girl swatted it away.
"You should transfer back." Satsuki turned her back to Nonon. "It's not safe here."
"I don't care!" Nonon shouted, wiping one hand over her eyes. "I promised that I'd stay by your side forever. Does that mean nothing to you!? Do I…" Nonon hiccupped once as she struggled for breath. "Please." Her voice cracked. "Don't shut me out." Her hands trembled as she grabbed one of Satsuki's hands.
What a hypocrite I am, Satsuki thought to herself. Preaching about resolve one day and caving in the next.
"I'm sorry." Satsuki could hear her own resolve shattering as she turned to face Nonon. "But you have to know that being by my side will be dangerous."
"Then I'll learn to fight!" Nonon nodded enthusiastically. "I'm already pretty good with a dagger."
If not for the seriousness of the situation, Satsuki would've smiled. "We've got a lot to talk about then. The first thing is, you should really stay away from my Mother."
End Note: Thanks for reading. Please review if you have something to say. Or don't. It's up to you.