The day was rainy.

Plop plipp plipp...

S-sshhhhhhh~~~

This house…

was decorated neatly in and old fashion with a doll like appearance.

There is…

a tea set, so fragile in appearance, thin porcelain.

Hand panted, it carried a few slight chips.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~~

The rain continued.

A flour fluffed white old boney hand reaches gently for the arm of the little cup, pinkie out.

The hand shook as it was lifted to the dry cracking lips. Little dribbles of the tea flow down the chin.

The cup is lowered to the lap.

Sitting on the small lavender love seat was ghost-like old maid.

From the looks of it she did not venture out side often.

The house was small.

The little old woman lived alone.

No pets roamed, little birds were her dearest friends.

The mistress sat on her love seat sipping a little more tea before re- placing it upon the small white painted coffee table.

There was not a soul to be found.

She had lived a most comfortable life.

Her chest fluttered.

She had never married.

The arm flopped weakly to her side.

She let out a little cough.

Pliip pliip….plip.

The rain has finally stopped.

As if on cue she had decided to wander to her garden where the air was fresh.

She sit in a rocking bench.

Staring at the flowers, little droplets dangling as if a thread was keeping it there, she found 'the world is such a beautiful place.

Her head gently raises and it's back rests on the bench's top.

The sky was so blue, with the puffy whitening clouds slowly drifting apart.

Her eyes slowly shut another droplet seemed to be falling from there, but it was not due to rain.

As the liquid diamond fell to her cheek she breathed in one long breath and out.

Her soul washed flowing away from the lifeless body and was now in the hands of God.

Chapter 1

-The beginning of a wonderful thing?-

A finger raises to sweep a tear inwards to dry.

When I came to, I realized the story of the old woman had belonged to my dreams.

I didn't think much on it, but I was unsure as to why the dream occurred at all.

I lay there, it's the first day of school I have ever had without my mother present.

I was ready to fall back to sleep, but this feeling of desire of wanting to prove myself as a responsible Blossoming flower fluttered within me.

I stiffly flung the cool down comforter off of me, body stretching Longly, thinking to myself that I am one silly child.

In the mornings, upon getting up from bed I feel heavy headed and dizzy, so I shut my eyes straightly, still thinking to myself as witty, swinging my legs to the side, off of the bed.

Still kind of lying there with legs dangling, my feet press against the floor, gaining it bearings.

In a wedge roll motion, I flung myself into the air.

Still feeling pretty witty.

I pulled on my usual brown dog character clothing.

It was a knee length full skit jumper-like dress with a hood that had long ears attached.

I walked into the kitchen, had myself some cereal.

Eating cereal gave me a moment to thing, being a person who cannot conceive time well, I got lost in thought remembering Ken…

My best friend in the whole world. He has gone through so much, and I want to be his guardian. I don't want anyone to hurt him ever again.

Suddenly, the image of his bruised and bloody body from the times those unforgivable people had beaten him… It sickened me. My chest began to throb.

I continued to think about Ken whilst staring blankly beyond my cereal, a more important thought reached my mind; Would I ever see him again?

I reminisced about his adorable appearance and small stature, wielding an honest, pristine and bright smile when we would meet. The times we spent together, all of our confidentialities shared. He didn't have many friends, and since his parents knew me well, they allowed him to stay with me at my house when he was depressed and needed someone as kids, as we got older we were not sure as to why it was no longer allowed. When he would stay over, Before going to sleep he would take off his glasses and I could see the pure green in his eyes again. When I stared at them, he would look at me nervously and ask,

"Puuuuku, why are you doing thaaaat?" followed by a bright red blush while looking down shyly.

By that time I had come to realize I was late for school and ran down to the school.

While trying to find the front of the school, I stumble across what looks like a small field with benches and trees. When looking to the right I see a gym and the left a garden…

I look in front of me, it's a door to the school. I wasn't real sure if it was the entrance, but it was open either way. As soon as I enter the building, there is a fluffy woman with white hair tied into a bun starting towards me. As if she had been waiting, she called to me,

"Miss excuse me, if you are a student, why are you not in class?" I looked up at her worriedly

"I'm sorry~~ I'm new here, I got lost… (lie) I don't know where to find my classes…" Anxiously my face grew red and I could feel welling in my eyes.

"I'm really sorry, ma'am."

She looked at me pleasantly

"No,no, It's your first day, it's alright, I will help you. Who might you be?"

A little tear forced it self out and fluttered on down before I choked the rest down.

"… I-I'm Puku" I sniveled.

"Oh, Puku! Puku Duckie, yes? I have been expecting you! There is also another new student here today, but he already made his classes, so I can help you more personally now… You will need to go visit the Student Body President, to obtain all that you need. His name is Nathaniel."

She wandered off plopping away, left me to find my way around on my own. Maybe she just has a lot on her mind?...

I pace down the hall a little, I turn left and look the little window. A class was going on, so I decided to not disturb it and continued to the opposite side of the hall. The door is open, standing next to the door I lean over and peer in. Suddenly a boy with light blond hair takes notice to me,

"I haven't seen you around here, new? Do you need any help?"

"Hello~ I'm looking for the Student body president. Is he around?"

He introduced himself and smiled professionally while sticking out his hand.

"That would be me, I'm Nathaniel. How can I help you?"

I return the smile and hand shake.

"I'm new here, my name is Puku. I was told you could help me with some enrollment forms?"

"Mmmhmm, can do." He begins flipping through papers and returns "Well you seem to still be missing your enrollment fee , photo I.D., and this form is missing your guardian's signature."

Ahhh nooooo! I could have sworn I had them sign it before leaving!.

"Yeeeeeeee, Are you suuuuuuuure? I was sooo sure I had it all filled out!" Today didn't seem to be working out well with me…

Nathaniel's fingers formed and sideways L shape under his chin.

"hmmmmmmmmm. Well, I'll keep looking just in case it was misplaced, but in the mean time you should get the other things done."

He said bluntly.

*biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii nggg*~

Switch bell sounded and I left the student body office.

My head was twisted in all directions except for in front of me.

*clash*

I ran into someone hard. They were close to falling and I grabbed their hand to break their fall.

I was hoping most of all that they were not hurt, I always want to be friendly with everyone. My eyes shut nervously, me trying to avoid sudden eye contact, but remembering courteousness and good timing I reopen my eyes only to find…

Ken at the other end of my arm. Frozen in time, I begin to blush from shock and wriggling my arm trying to pull him up to his feet. He was looking down and seemed nervous as well.

He begins to look up to his savior.

"Oh thanks so much….-P-Puku!?" You couldn't tell from his glasses but his eyes were probably bugging.

"Ken! W-what are you doing here?" I had let go and my hands had shyly clasped together against my chest.

Ken stiffly bushed his hair to the back of his head and held it there for a second.

"Well… I really wanted to be with you Puku… So I transferred schools."

His hands had dropped and he began to twiddle his index fingers together, with his lips puckered out, a somewhat guilty look. I stared at him still in shock. As always my realization was slow, but when I broke trance, I grabbed his arms in both of my hand, pulling him into me, grasping him. Tightly I begin slowly moving my arms to hold tighter.-I could feel my breast bulge, pressed against him.- He was warm, I could feel the beating rapping fast from his chest bumping against mine. I didn't want to let go. After a few moments, he returned the embrace, his arms around my waist. He was just a little shorter than me.

I did not think much of as to why he was here, but he was and I felt a great heaviness lifted and replaced with fluffy relief. Why did I feels so fluttery? Surly it was because I had another chance to protect my best friend? Something still felt odd and slightly nauseating. I didn't want to leave him ever again. Something came over me and I lowered my cheek to sweep against his cheek, which shortly began to feel hot.

Suddenly I realize our current situation being in the hall way during a passing period. Some people were staring, I really didn't think much on it, but I didn't want to embarrass Ken or anything. I let go sharply and promptly adjusted my palm against the nape of my neck and began nervously ruffling my hair.

"heheheh, sorry 'bout that, guess I was a little excited…"

Ken immediately rose both of his hands in line with his shoulders, waving them in an opposing windshield wiper motion.

"N-.n-n-noo~ That's okay, Puku…"

He began to twiddle his index fingers again while looking down, then back up at me.

"Puku….. I really hope the kids in my class will be nice…."

A shivering wrinkle in my brow grew in worry, but I gathered myself, trying to reassure him.

"They have no reason not to be. You're a… great guy, Ken." I may as well have been a cartoon character, who blushed so hard that puffs of steam flared out of my ears from my frank compliment.

I was pretty preoccupied with my own blushiness, I didn't realize he had gotten a little pink as well.

"Puku….~-"

Suddenly Ken had been bumped into pretty hard and he fell to his knees, his palms roughly hitting the school's tile. I look at the offender angrily, being so used to it as an intended action. There is a beautiful- looking blond, standing in front of two other girls, one Asian and the other a brunette with a few brow piercings. I caught a glimpse of the blonde, the short-lived smirk made her a true beast in my eyes. I could feel the surge of rage build up. Still on the ground, I hear Ken whimper;

"S-Sorry! I guess I was blocking the hall….~"

The blonde began to snicker,

"Ewwww… You should be sorry. You little freaks need to go get a room and stop blocking the hall, I'll be late for class."

She began to sachet off with her herd.

The fury had built up to where thought could not properly function and everything was stuffy, although everything was monotone, I could hear a little whine.

"I... cause you so much trouble… I'm so sorry…."

He wobbled stiffly to his feet, his head still bent down nearly to his chest, but I could still see he was tearing up.

"No… Ken, you-"

I tried to say as he ran off. It was a very upsetting moment and it ruined my whole day. I decided I would let him be for a while, I still had things to do. I thought to myself, ok now… Where can I get my ID photo taken….? I step slowly outside while pondering this… In my peripheral I notice a tough-looking boy, he had nearly shoulder length tomato red hair. He was leaning his back against the wall of the school, his hands shoved loosely in his pockets. I look at him somewhat dumb-founded. Why is he not in class?

"… Hello?"

He shifted his serious-looking eyes lazily toward me.

"-Hi."

Then preceded to shift them back to their previous view, completely brushing me off, it felt like.

"eeeehummmm…. I'm just taking a look around the school and saw you there. Thought I'd say hi."

Still stoically staring off to the field he responds;

"Okay then, don't let me stop you."

I continued to stare somewhat mindlessly in the same direction as the boy, then began to wonder why I was there and went back into the school dazedly.

Not having much shame to spare, I walk into the one open classroom, it seemed to be a free period.

I see a nice looking carrot haired girl wearing purple and green, she sensed my notice of her and moseyed on over toward me. She smiled brightly at me while waving.

"Hi!~ I don't remember seeing you around, are you new?"

I responded duly, and we began to chat. Her name is Iris, she told me. For much of the conversation, I was half there, being as air-headed as usual… I happen to notice Ken sitting in one of the rows in this class, he was asleep.

Iris seem to notice my staring and confronted me,

"Oh, that's Ken. He's also new it seems. He seems pretty nice and talkative." She smiled.

Playing along somewhat I requited;

"He was talkative with you?"

I sighed feeling a little discouraged, I should have been feeling better that he was making new friends. A very contradicting and confusing feeling. He had not really talked to many girls other than me in length. It was hard, but I came to a realization I was just getting jealous since Ken is my best friend and now he would probably be dividing his time from me and tried to be happy for him. It was harder than I imagined…

The free-period was ending and after speaking to the teacher, I was told this is my classroom after all.

I felt an urge to talk with Ken again once the class ended.

I was still talking to Iris when the bell rang and noticed Ken walking out of the door. I told Iris I would see her later and went after him.

I quickly waltz over to him and hover near his neck. Breathing hotly, I speak lowly...

"Ken~~~"

I say playfully standing behind him closely, hoping to surprise him. I succeeded and he jumped out of his skin. I giggled sadistically.

"Puku! Why do you do that all the time!?" He said jumpily, still feeling the jitters.

"What are you doin', Ken?~~ Got time to help me out for a sec?" I say grinning cheekily.

"Anything for you, Puku. What is it?"

"Weeeeeeeeeeeell~~~…"

I just wanted to chat with Ken and was actually not sure what to say at the moment. I pause in thought and stare at him blankly, mouth wrinkling in forgetfulness.

"haha, Puku, did you forget what you were going to say again?" He said grinning.

"Hush, Ken. :I You know me all too well. Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…"

I still drew a blank.

"…hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…. OH! Do you know where I can get my ID photo taken?"

-Comedic moment where the is a falling and a face planting involved, which could imply a 'seriously?'-

He replied worriedly to me;

"y-yeah… There is a gift shop near by, where you can get it done. Should I go with you?" ^^'''''

Suddenly my comedic sarcasm parodies a dramatic scene whence I grasp Ken's hands upward while widening my eyes sweetly and tip my head to the side in inquiry, puckering my lips to make a cushy sound,

"Ken wants to go with me?"

I, then proceed to stick out my tongue while grinning deviously. I grab his hand, which was sweaty and warm, and walk on out the door dragging him behind me.

On the way to the store we walk side by side chatting;

"Do you think we'll get in trouble, Puku?"

Ken said to me curiously.

"Nehh, It's our first day and we need to get register stuff done."

He switches topics;

"Were you surprised to see me? Is it weird I switched schools to be with you?"

I stop for a second to look at him. I usually say things without realizing the consequences of my honesty.

"It, Ken, is by far the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me~ I couldn't have been happier to see you again."

He smiled shyly like a child who had just been given some candy. His face had turned beat red again. Did I say something embarrassing? Or…

I lift my hand and get close while placing it upon his forehead, brushing his thick bangs to the side.

He was, indeed warm and this worried me.

"Ken, are you ill!? You feel feverish." I interrogated sternly, such as a sheltering mother.

Ken softly began to speak to me.

"Puku…~"

I utter concerning words of confirmation.

"Yes, Ken?"-

"… Your… really close."

I processed this slowly in my mind, then backed up promptly.

"Sorry! Heheh…"

I began to feel foolish and blushed nervously, swirling around forward stiffly pacing, unknowingly preceding him.

"Well….!- We're Here, lets get this done." :I

We both peek our head into the small shop. There is no one there but and elder looking gentleman with grey wild short hair, wearing a white blazer and yellow, rainbow printed vest. A fruity looking guy, he was. I walk up to the counter automatically muster up my polite and professional disposition.

"Hello, Sir. We are new to this area and need to obtain a photo ID for school. Can we possibly do this here?"

"Yes, yes you may."

He said as he waved his arms to the direction of the store's photo booth. Ken stands patiently by the counter as I frolic toward the booth.

After I take my photo, I project my voice over to Ken.

"Hey, Ken. Comm'ere, We should get a current photo of us while we are here. Our last photo together was a long time ago, it's getting pretty old now." I said chuckling cheerfully.

Ken points at himself staring at me blankly and shuffles on over after realizing the obvious.

He plops down on the seat next to me placing his hand clutched together in his lap and looks toward the camera, sitting straight and stiff. Sitting next to him a can catch a peek at his side profile, I notice his smooth soft face and can see his eyes behind his glasses. I had always loved those beautiful green eyes, and seeing them rarely now, makes it all the more exciting. His eyes float toward me, as he notices my absence. I flutter, my heart racing from the full visage of his irises facing me. I clutch my chest in awe.

"Puku… Are you awake over there?"

I snap quickly back to reality.

"Y-yeah!"

The countdown began.

3…2…

I grab him from the side, somewhat pulling him to my side, holding his inward arm toward my chest. His face bumps against mine, causing his glasses to push up on his face diagonally.

…1!

I shoot a huge smile as the camera flashes.

I have the machine print two pictures and I continue to the counter.

"I would like all of these."

Ken comes brushing up beside me and begins to pull out some bills. I notice this and quickly slap the full amount onto the counter's surface, looking the store owner seriously in the eye.

"Here, this is all of it."

Ken looked up at me sheepishly

"Puku… One of those are mine, right…? I have money he-"

"I've got it Ken, it's fine with me."

I winked, while sticking my thumb up fiercely in front of him.

-Okay face-

"Okay…"

He stuffs the bills back into his wallet.

On the way back to the school Ken notices an unusual lump near the dip in my clavicle.

"What's that, Puku?"

He said while pointing.

I grope for the lump with my hands and move up ward to a necklace chain. I take the chain in between my fingers and pull up with it and reveal the full chain. At its pendant position is a small plastic ring. It is Pink and has a cursive letter B on it.

"That is-!"

Ken gasped

"You still have that!?"

I nod gently.

"Yes… It has gotten too small for my fingers and When I thought we couldn't see each other anymore I put it on a chain and under my shirt so that it would be close to my heart."

I grin pleasantly and a little nervously.

Ken blushes furiously and stares at me dumbfounded.

"How could I have not noticed until now…?" He places his head into his hands

We had finally arrived to the school. I stop in my tracks to ponder what I need to do next.

Hmmmmmm… Entrance Fee! I thought to myself. I dig into my pockets and pull out some lint.

I stare at it pitifully and begin to think out loud.

"I don't have any money to pay for the entrance fee!~"

I tuck my head down toward the dirt in shame. Suddenly I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder from behind.

"Poor, poor, Puku. You don't have any money left?"

I look up at Ken, suddenly realizing he heard me.

"Take some of mine, you bought our pictures after all."

He said with a reassuring smile while handing me the money. I begin to blubber and sob.

"Th-thank You, Kenn~~~"

I bury my head into his chest and finish, holding the cash close to me. He petted my head with caress.

Later that day, after returning to Nathaniel a few times, he finally found my application sheet.

"Sorry about that, Puku. I guess it was put into another cabinet entirely. "

Said Nathanial as he handed it to me.

"The principal seems to be free about now, if you want to let her know you have everything in order."

"Thanks, Nat!"

I chimed while continuing out the door of the council room. There near the entrance is the principal.

"I have everything done! Ma'am!"

I prop up my arms with the pages neatly stacked to her front. She takes them from me and drops the pages and I bend over in an attempt to help, but she had them back before I could even look down fully. We both rose.

"Miss Duckie… Can you help me find a paper clip?"

I nodded and went straight to my home room class where I had seen a stray paper clip previously. It was still there, I grabbed it and brought it back to the principal. It was done, I am now an official Student of Sweet Amouris High School.

The school day ended, I was so tired. It was a long day. I shuffle down the hall sleepily, tripping over myself and as I almost fell, my hand was grabbed… by Ken.

"H-hey, Ken. What's up?"

I said rubbing my eyes nonchalantly.

"You were about to fall there, you should be more careful!"

He paused and I came to my feet.

"Puku,… umm… Do you want to see the rest of the school with me?

I grin at him while having my eyes shut.

"Yeah, sounds nice."

Someone had been there waiting, they bend over to find a picture. They grin devilishly, put it into a bag and leave.

Ken and I continue to walk not noticing the person who was there. I rub my eyes again and yawn, Ken suddenly yawns after me.

We went around in circles for a while, we weren't very familiar with the school at all.

When we were tired of looking we decided to take a break on a step. I sit with my wrist supporting my head and blink groggily, when I look toward Ken, who was taking out his favorite cookies.

"Want one Puku?"

He held out the cookie toward me while one dangled out of his mouth.

In that moment I was so out of it, I don't exactly remember what I did, but I lean my face in toward him and had my mouth bit into the cookie that was currently in his mouth. I sleepily stick out my tongue to get the chocolate and accidentally press it against his lip. Still half-awake I bite down on the cookie and I my mouth inches a little closer and our lips press together. So soft, what is this softness I wondered. I then fall asleep, with my head heavily resting on his shoulder.

Continued in Chapter 2