*AN*

I own nothing.

When the narrator is to be speaking, you'll know, bb.

Okami-san and Her Seven Companions

Chapter 2

Narrator: And here we are, at Otogi Acad- no, no, this isn't Otogi Academy. Ahem. And here we are at Okami-san and Little Red's dorm! Today is a Sunday morning, in Otogibana City. The sun is out, and the birds are chirping away. Ringo is busy dusting, cleaning, and vacuuming the dorm, while Ryoko is sitting on her bed, feeling a bit tired today.

Maybe I'll start today. No, no. I need to start every day, in little ways. Or maybe… Argh! I don't know. I'd go to the gym, but every time I do that, I just push him farther out of my mind. I don't want to do that, not anymore. I trust him.

Ryoko pulled, glumly, at the bottom of her shirt.

I've barely been to the gym all week; I have to. Baby steps, right?

Ryoko sat up in her bed, with a small grunt.

"Whatcha been thinking about, over there?" Ringo said, as she smiled slyly.

"Ryoshi, perhaps?"

"I- God! No! Of course not!" Ryoko yelled. Ringo giggled, and continued dusting off Ryoko's desk. Ryoko swung her legs out of bed, and stared at her gym bag.

I really am tired, today, aren't I? Boss always says not to push myself, but... I'll wake up more when I start training.

With yet another small grunt, Ryoko stood up and walked over to her gym bag and picked it up. She opened it, and scanned the contents, quickly, to make sure she had everything she needed. She slipped on a zip-up hoodie, some shorts, and put her sneakers on.

"I'm going to the gym, Ringo. See you later!" Ryoko smiled, and walked towards the door.

"Don't push yourself too hard, Ryoko!" Ringo called, from behind her.

"I won't, promise." With that Ryoko stepped out of the door, and closed it behind her. Ringo sighed, and continued to dust around the dorm, smiling.

She's completely in love with Ryoshi. I wonder if she knows yet.

On her walk to the gym, she couldn't help but think about Ryoshi. She wanted him, but she didn't want to get soft. Even though she was pretty sure she'd be okay, if she did.

Ever since he joined the Otogi Bank, he's always been by my side, and he's never abandoned me. Even if I knew I'd be okay, I still don't want to get soft. I like being strong. Besides, I still work at the Otogi Bank. They'll need me for tougher requests, like they do now. Ryoshi probably doesn't want me too soft either. Am I thinking about this too much? I probably am.

Ryoko was getting closer to the gym, and as she entered she was greeted by Kumada, or "Boss."

"Ryoko, your bag's open. Feel free to go at it." He put his hand on her shoulder, briefly, then continued prowling around the gym.

"Thanks." She said quietly, and walked to the locker room to change into her gym clothes. After changing into her gym clothes, she began pounding on her usual bag. Right hooks, left hooks, jabs, kicks and ducking and dodging, every few hits, in random directions. Ryoko was feeling extremely zen while training today. She hadn't been to the gym in a few days, and she very much enjoys going to the gym to train. She was so zen, she almost forgot her little mission, for today. Trying to let Ryoshi be in her mind, without her getting so angry. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, and closed her eyes.

He won't hurt you. He's had your back, ever since he's known you. He's let you hurt him, even. Physically and, probably, emotionally.

After she'd regained her breath, and finished convincing herself, she began pounding on her bag again. After a few minutes, she started to think about some conversations she'd had with Ryoshi, that week. Just normal conversations, or requests they went on together. After thinking about that, and some other things that had to do with Ryoshi, she thought about their conversation on Friday, outside of her dorm. Ryoko stopped swinging, and looked at the ground, furiously blushing. While thinking about Ryoshi, time had passed quickly, without Ryoko noticing. It was almost 8:00 and, the gym was almost cleared out.

"Wow, I really zoned out, huh." She said to herself, softly, and went to the showers to cleanse her body of the sweat that had accumulated while boxing. The shower was cold, which she normally would not like, but she was fairly warm after her long and vigorous training. After her shower she said goodbye to Kumada and headed home.

That night, Ryoshi slept quite well, knowing he would see Ryoko at school the next day. Sundays were always his best nights for sleep, because of that reason. And pretty much any night, if there was school the next day. However, Ryoko did not sleep as well as Ryoshi, though it was for the same reason. She couldn't wait to see him, either.

Narrator: And here we are at Otogi Acad- Wait, it is the Otogi Academy this time. I wish they'd tell me these things. It is a Monday morning and the sun is shining brightly, unlike Okami-san. She was so, unusually, excited about seeing Ryoshi, she hardly got any sleep!

Ringo and Ryoko walked up the concrete path, which was decorated with grass, benches flowers, trees and the like. Ryoko trudged along as if her feet were made of concrete, as well as her bag, which she normally slung over her shoulder. She couldn't help but notice Ryoshi wasn't walking with them like he normally does.

"You didn't get much sleep last night, did you, Ryoko?" Ringo said, with slight concern in her voice.

"No, I didn't."

"Too busy thinking about-"

"Don't say it."

"Ryoshi?"

"Hmph." Ryoko grunted and turned her head away from Ringo, who giggled softly.

Well she's not denying it.

As Ryoko and Ringo opened the door to their classroom, they saw Ryoshi sitting in the back, where he usually sits. His emerald eyes were peering at the rest of the class, from behind a book. After a few seconds, Ryoshi noticed Ryoko and Ringo, and straightened up in his seat.

"Morning, Ryoko! Morning, Ringo!" He said, as he shut the book, gently.

"Hey, you got here early." Ryoko said, as she walked over to Ryoshi's desk.

"You didn't meet up with us, like you usually do." She glanced down at him.

Narrator: Okami-san is surprisingly curious about Ryoshi, today.

"Yeah, I woke up kinda early, so I decided to take the dogs for a walk, and by the time I got back it was still pretty early, but I headed to school anyway. I was the first person in class, besides that guy." Ryoshi pointed to a student who looked to be much older than the rest of their class.

"Hm. I don't think I've ever seen him before," Ringo added.

"Yeah, me either. He's definitely new." Ryoshi said, eyeing him, slightly.

"He sorta looks older than the rest of us." Ryoko said, with a slight hint of suspicion in her voice. Though, she decided she wouldn't think about it too much. She was tired, and had enough on her mind already.

Time passed quickly for Ryoko, because she was sleeping. She had her book propped up in front of her, as a shield, and her head was resting on her arms. However, time passed slowly for Ringo and Ryoshi. Ringo was actually studying, while Ryoshi, too, had his book propped up in front of him. Though, he wasn't sleeping. He was looking at Ryoko's sleeping face, her hazel hair pooled around her head. He found such peace in her face, when she was sleeping. He could tell she was dreaming, too.

What's she dreaming about? He wondered, his jade irises studying her.

Though time passed slowly, lunch eventually came. Ryoko, Ringo and Ryoshi usually slid their desks together, and ate their lunch. They followed their routine, and did the same today, though Ryoshi only moved his chair to Ryoko and Ringo's makeshift table. They all pulled out their bentos, and dug in. Ryoshi scooched his chair closer to Ryoko's, as inconspicuously as he could manage, though Ryoko still noticed. She gave him a quick, stern glare. Ryoshi jumped slightly, and slid his chair back a few inches.

"So that new guy, what'd you think his deal is?" Ryoshi mused, settling into his seat.

"I mean, he does look older than us, like Ryoko said." he said, looking back at Ryoko.

"Yeah…" Ringo said suspiciously. He was skinny, and pretty wimpy looking, but she still got a bad feeling about him. Ryoko, too, couldn't help but be slightly worried. He just looked out of place at Otogi Academy, and his uniform slightly resembled that of an Onigashima uniform.

S-Shiro wouldn't be trying to get me this soon after-

"Ryoko, did you get to go to the gym over the weekend? I noticed you hadn't gone much, during the week." Ryoshi said, smiling, and interrupting Ryoko's unwanted thoughts. She was startled slightly when she answered.

"Y-Yeah, I went on Sunday." She said, smiling softly.

He just can't stop saving me, can he? Ryoko laughed, softly.

After lunch, class went on for a few more hours, and afterwards Ryoko, Ringo and Ryoshi headed to the Otogi Bank.

"Welcome! Can I get you all some tea?" Otsu said, happily, as the three walked into the Otogi Bank's secret basement headquarters.

"Yeah, I'll have some, thanks." Ryoko said, casually sitting down. Ryoshi and Ringo sat on either side of her, and declined the tea, politely.

"Any assignments for us, President?" Ryoko asked, sipping her tea.

"No we haven't gotten any assignments for you, yet. In fact we haven't gotten any requests all day." Liszt said, cheerfully.

"Hm. That's weird." Ryoko stated, setting down her tea. She could feel Ryoshi's eyes on her, and put on a slightly irritated face, her eyes remaining indirect. Ryoshi saw, and averted his own eyes.

"President," Ryoshi said. turning his head towards him.

"There's a new guy in our class, and he looks way older than the rest of our classmates… Do you know anything about him?" Ryoshi had thought the same as Ringo. He got a bad vibe from him, but couldn't figure out why.

"Ah, yes. Nakajima Ryuuhei. I did hear about him transferring from somewhere." Liszt said, smiling.

"Alice, would you do some research on him?"

"I can do that." Alice said, already typing away, on her laptop. After some more typing, and adjustments of her glasses, she pulled up a student profile screen, and began reading and scrolling.

Narrator: Alice hasn't been able to do any nerdy research stuff all day!

"Hm… It says here that he's a transfer from Onigashima. Mostly bad grades, but it doesn't really seem like he's much of a trouble-maker." Alice said, looking up at the rest of the Otogi Bank members, and adjusting her glasses.

Onigashima, Ryoshi and Ringo thought. They both became slightly worried at that, as did Ryoko. Though, their worried thoughts did not last long, as they were disrupted by an unfamiliar voice.

"I... H-Hello?" A brown haired boy came into view, on both of the flatscreens, his voice sounding through the speakers.

Narrator: It's the, potentially, dangerous oni-thug-transfer-guy!

"Speak of the devil." Liszt said, cheerfully, as he popped open one eye. Ryoshi gasped slightly, when he saw who it was, and diverted his attention to Ryoko. She looked calm on the outside, but he could tell that she was a little uneasy. Seeing this, he made it his mission to make sure she felt especially safe, while this guy was around. Otsu, too, could sense Ryoko's tension and decided to go, herself.

"Oh, I'll get it!" Otsu said, cheerily, as she shuffled towards the stairs.

"I'm here to- oh. Hello." Nakajima said, turning his head towards Otsu.

"Hi! Are you here to make a request?" Otsu asked, exiting the kitchen area.

"Yes, I am, actually."

"Okay, you can have a seat there, if you'd like. Can I get you some tea?"

"Okay. And, no, thank you."

"Alright, please explain your request." Otsu said, smiling.

"Okay," he began, sighing.

"Uh, so I'm new here. I've only been here a week, but there's this girl I like, Sakamoto Ayumu, and I want one of you to help me talk to her. Oh, um, if it'd be okay I'd like R-Ryoko Okami to help me."

Already lying through his teeth, Ryoshi thought, frowning.

He hasn't been here a week, this is his first day. This doesn't look good. Ryoshi looked at Ryoko, who was on his left, nervously tugging at her scarf. He got a few inches closer to her, drawing her attention. She whipped her face around, and looked directly in his eyes. Fear was prominent in them.

"I'll protect you, I promise." Ryoshi whispered. Ryoko smiled, softly, and gave a small nod.

"A-And can we do it tomorrow? I'm not quite ready, yet." Nakajima added, quickly.

"Yes, where would you like to do it?" Otsu asked, after getting confirmation of the request from the President.

"Oh... Uhm- Just somewhere around the school, where there wouldn't be too many people." Nakajima said, hesitantly.

"Is it just me or does it seem like he's waiting on something?" Ryoko asked, in a suspicious tone.

"Now that you mention it, it does seem like he's a little hesitant." Ryoshi replied, eyes locked on Ryoko.

"Okay! We'll get her in one of the courtyards! Come here, right after school!" Otsu chirped.

"Alright, I'll be here. T-Thanks a lot." Nakajima said, exiting the room. Ryoko sighed, as he left, and relaxed into the couch.

As Ryoko, Ringo and Ryoshi walked home, Ringo talked wildly about every reason not to trust Nakajima, and how she didn't like that the President would put Ryoko in such a position, without Ryoko's consent. Though Ryoko felt worried, (and she was) she felt safe at the same time. She didn't feel like some thugs from Onigashima would jump out at her, and her attack her. She didn't feel vulnerable. She tried to convince herself that Ryoshi had no part in that, and for the most part, she did. The convinced parts showed in her demeanor and attitude, but it was harder to convince the voice in the back of her head, constantly reminding her. Lately it had been harder to ignore.

Ryoko woke in the night. It was 2:30 in the morning, and moonlight was seeping in through the window. She was sweating horribly and her long tresses were a twisted, awful mess. Something inside her obstinately kept her worried. Worried about tomorrow's request. About what will happen.

What if nothing happens at all? What if he really is just a transfer from Onigashima with no intention to harm me? Ryoko growled, softly, at her own thoughts.

He seemed really suspicious. I have all the reason in the world to worry. Or… She frowned and stirred, under the covers.

Do I have no reason to worry at all? She pulled the covers back up to her chest. She calmed herself down and closed her eyes, with a sigh. Eventually she slipped back into a peaceful sleep.

Narrator: And we're back at school, the next day!

"Isn't he supposed to be here right after school?" Ryoko groaned. Being angry was usually her front for when she was worried.

"It's only 20 after, I'm sure he'll be here soon!" Otsu said, cheerily. Ryoshi frowned, upon seeing Ryoko's anxiousness. He couldn't help but be worried, too. After a few minutes passed, those of which seemed like a few lifetimes for Ryoko, Nakajima entered the aboveground meeting room. He looked around for a moment, before speaking.

"H-Hello? Are you guys here?" Otsu heard him and ran up the stairs as quickly as she could in her maid outfit.

"Hello again, Nakajima!" Otsu said, brightly.

"Otohime should've gotten Sakamoto in the west courtyard already, so if you want to head there she'll be waiting." She explained.

"Okay. And- And what Ryoko Okami? Is she here?"

"Yes, she'll be right up!" Ryoko was trembling, slightly. That is, until she remembered what Ryoshi said to her, the day before.

"I'll protect you, I promise."

She had used Ryoshi to reassure her, or calm her down in situations similar to this, more than she had realized, lately. She lifted herself off the couch and made her way to the stairs. Once in the meeting room, Ryoko saw Nakajima and gave him a cold glare.

"Oh, h-hello! Thanks so much for c-coming, Okami-san!" He exclaimed. There was a strange tone in his voice, almost like he was apologizing.

"Yeah, whatever. You're late, let's get a move on." Ryoko snarled, causing him to sink into the couch.

"Oh, yeah. S-Sorry!" He stuttered, jumping off the couch and jogging after her. After he'd caught up with her she fell out of step with him, so that he was in front of her. She didn't want him pulling anything on her while she was right next to him. Vulnerable. She felt her hip to make sure her Kitty Knuckles were equipped to her belt.

"Good." She muttered, under her breath.

Narrator: And we're back at the bank!

"President." Ryoshi began, with a determined, and almost frightening look in his eyes.

"Yes, Ryoshi?"

"I think I should follow them. His request seemed a little... It seemed like a bad excuse. And that guy was a fresh Onigashima transfer."

"I think that would be great idea, Ryoshi." The President said, in his usual cheerful manner.

"Thank you."

"I'll come with you, too!" Ringo added, jumping up off the couch. Once Ryoshi and Ringo got outside, Ryoshi's walk slowly develops into a quicker, hastier walk. After a minute or so Ringo noticed that Ryoshi was ahead of her, by quite a bit.

"Hey, wait up!" Ringo cried, running after him.

"We're not trying to catch up to her, we're just watching her back. You know that, right?"

"Oh... Sorry." He chuckled, lightly.

"Yeah I know, but... I don't trust that guy. I want to keep them in my sight as best I can." He said, this time in a much more serious tone

"Oh! I understand completely. We'd better get moving then, huh?" She said, running ahead of him suddenly.

"Oh, yeah!"

As Ryoshi and Ringo got around the street corner they could see Ryoko and Nakajima.

"Okay, there they are." Ryoshi sighed. Ringo smiled to herself. She liked how much Ryoshi wanted to take care of Ryoko and protect her.

As Ryoko and Nakajima walked into the courtyard, their eyes lay upon a short girl with green pigtails.

"Oh…" Nakajima said, looking sick.

"Come on, she doesn't even know we're here yet! You'll have the upper hand when we talk to her, which might make her think you're confident." Ryoko scowled at him, though she was scowling with good advice.

"Okay," he said, looking like he was sorry, again.

"Ready?" She snarled, her teeth gritted.

"Yeah! Sorry!" Nakajima jumped at the sign of her apparent anger. Ringo was with Ryoshi, giggling at this, from behind a bush. As Ryoko and Nakajima walked towards the girl, she jumped slightly and turned to them. Ryoshi and Ringo couldn't hear from their bush.

"I wonder what they're saying!" Ringo griped, though Ryoshi didn't notice. He was too focused on protecting Ryoko.

Several minutes passed, Nakajima talking to the girl awkwardly and Ryoko standing there, her hand on her hip, looking annoyed. After a few more minutes Ryoshi saw something move near the school, but he only saw it out of the corner of his eye. He brushed it off, only to noticed it again. How could he ignore it, now?

"Ringo, I think I saw something moving over that way." He said, pointing in the same direction which he had seen the movement.

"Hm... I don't see anything, but I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled."

Yet another few minutes passed, without Ringo or Ryoshi seeing any movement. There was some rustling to their far right. A man emerged from behind some bushes. He began walking over to Ryoko, Nakajima and Sakamoto. Once there, he spit on the ground and glared at them for a moment.

"You're done, kid." He said, in a devilish tone, knocking Nakajima on one knee, causing him to run in fear. He glanced at Sakamoto once more.

"Scram." Sakamoto nodded quickly and ran into the nearest wing of the school. The thug then concentrated his attention to Ryoko. He began extending his arm towards her.

"You're coming with me, miss Oka-" He began, before being cut off by a pachinko ball to the cheek. Ryoko seized her moment, and landed a solid fist on his nose, causing him to stagger backwards. Ryoko used this time to equip her Kitty Knuckles. Ryoshi jumped out of the bush and ran to Ryoko's side. She gave him a tiny grin and returned her attention to the thug, pulling her gloved fists up to her chest, in a defensive manner.

One guy? She thought. But, all too soon, several others emerged from the bushes. A few had bats or clubs and one had a knife. They ran past their leader, and directly towards the Ryoko and Ryoshi. Ryoshi readied a pachinko ball, and fired it at one if the thugs, leaving him reeling, while the rest charged on. Ryoko charged back at them, hitting one in the face before jumping back. Ryoshi fired several rounds into the crowd, rapidly.

"Behind you!" Ryoko called to Ryoshi. Ryoshi moved to the side, causing him to miss and stumble towards Ryoko. Ryoko kicked him in the gut and again in the side, knocking him over. He fell to the ground with a yelp, just before another delinquent charged Ryoko. She moved back and tripped him, sending him right on top of the other. Ryoshi was sending pachinkos at the crowd of delinquents, while Ryoko ran about them in a flurry, kicking and punching at every opening she got. Ryoshi reached into his pouch for another ball, realizing that he didn't have that many left. He forgot to refill his pouch this morning.

Dangit, he cursed himself.

Narrator: See, Ryoshi, I told you to always plan ahead- Why does no one listen to me?

Ryoshi decided he would save the few balls he had for later and try his best to fight hand-to-hand, for the time being. He rushed over to Ryoko, who was standing in a defensive position. The delinquents were looking quite tired, from Ryoko's beatings. One swung at her, but his swing did not land where intended, as Ryoshi shouldered him. The delinquent ran into another delinquent sending them both to the ground.

"There's more!" Ringo cried, pointing between two buildings. There was a sea of about 15-20 thugs, funneling through the buildings, right at Ryoko and Ryoshi.

"Ringo, call for some backup!" Ryoko yelled, holding up her fist at the oncoming storm of thugs. Ringo immediately dialed the bank. As Ringo looked down at her cellphone, she quickly dialed the President. But, when she looked up there was a thug reaching for her.

"Help!" Ringo cried, struggling to break free of the thugs hold.

"Oh, crap." Ryoko said, whipping around worriedly. Ryoko's eyes landed on them, and she ran as fast as she could at them and socked the thug right in the cheek.

"Thanks." Ringo said, dusting off her dress. When they turned around, they saw that Ryoshi had quite a few delinquents surrounding him. Ryoshi was trying his best to keep his cool, but he was having more trouble than one would've thought. Especially with all those thugs staring at him. He felt their stares on his skin, like a burn.

Ryoko ran towards the thugs surrounding Ryoshi, hitting several other thugs on her way. After a few, fervent, attempts at getting through what seemed like a wall of thugs, she busted though it, only to see 3 thugs, with blunt weapons, beating on Ryoshi.

"Ryoshi!"

At a sickening crack of his rib cage, he passed out.

The last thing he heard was his beloved calling out his name.