Chapter 2: The Peach
The entire class stared in front of the classroom. The instructor was just about to introduce a new student. It was a girl. Aaron stared on, as she stood in front of everyone. She had blonde hair and peach colored skin. A red ribbon was in the back of her head, tying some of her hair into a ponytail. Her eyes were as red as an apple. She had the figure of a model and seemed just a graceful. She was wearing the standard uniform for the girls of the school: a sleeveless, white button-up shirt with a blue ribbon around the collar. A blue skirt was around her waist and she wore knee high, white socks above her dress shoes. She seemed to be staring directly at Aaron and he found himself blushing because of it.
Instructor: This is Kana Mitarashi. Let's all give her a warm welcome.
The class greeted her and she happily greeted them back.
Instructor: Very good. *to Kana* You can have the seat next to Mays the Slacker over there.
Aaron held his arms up in defense before giving up. Kana nodded and slowly took her seat. Everyone stared at her as she did. She took the seat on the right of Aaron, who seemed a little flustered by her. She smiled at him warmly, causing him to blush even further. The instructor then continued his lesson. The entire time, Kana only stared at Aaron. He wondered what the problem could be, as he faced the other direction. Finally, the last bell of the day rang. Aaron wasted no time in getting up and heading for the door. Before he could leave however, Kana called out to him.
Kana: Aaron, wasn't it?
Aaron: *nervously* Y-Yes! And you're Kana, right?
Kana: *happily* That's right! I'm glad you remembered it already!
Aaron: Uh…can I help you with something?
Kana: Nope! I just wanted to introduce myself properly!
Aaron: *nods* I see. Well, I…uh…gotta go.
Kana: Okay. See you tomorrow then!
Aaron nodded again and scrambled out the door. It felt as if his heart would burst out of his chest at any moment. Kana watched him leave with a curious smile on her face. As he walked towards his locker, he began to think.
Aaron: Jeez, what was that all about?! Did I have something on my face?!
???: *suddenly* New girl's quite a looker, isn't she?
Someone put their hand on his shoulders, making him jump. He slowly turned his head behind him and saw Sasune grinning.
Aaron: Oh! Jeez, you scared me half to death there!
Sasune: Hmm? Did I now? So, what did you think about that new girl?
Aaron: You mean Kana? Well, she was very beautiful, if that's what you mean.
Sasune: Man, she was HOT! Blonde hair, red eyes, rocking body! She's something out of a fairy tale!
Aaron: Y-You think so? Hmm…she was staring at me the entire class period!
Sasune: Really? Damn! You work fast! She's already got the hots for you!
Aaron: *rubs head* Heh. You think so? She even introduced herself.
Sasune: You are one smooth operator my friend! And you didn't even say a word to her until after class! *holds thumb out* I'm so proud of you!
Aaron stared blankly at Sasune. He didn't think what his friend had told him was the case. The two began walking towards their lockers. As they did, Aaron saw a glint of light in his eyes. He then looked down to see a mirror on Sasune's right shoe. Sasune was grinning perversely as he stared into it.
Aaron: A mirror? What's that for?
Sasune: *still staring into it* It's for looking under chick's skirts.
Aaron: What?! You mean you're…
Sasune: *covers his mouth* Quiet! You're drawing too much attention!
Aaron: Jeez, you really are a pervert…
Too many people were starting at them, as they continued to walk down the hallway. Sasune sighed and took the mirror off his shoe. He then put it into his pocket. The two arrived at their lockers and began to gather their things.
Sasune: Jeez, what a buzz kill you are sometimes. And it was going so smoothly too.
Aaron: *takes book out locker* Do you always do stuff like this?
Sasune: *closes locker* No, I just got lazy today.
Sasune closed his bag and headed for the door. Aaron began to think over his friend's words with a blank expression on his face. He then caught up with him. As they left the school, hundreds of other students were socializing outside the building. The two began walking for awhile, but Sasune suddenly turned in a different direction.
Sasune: Well, my apartment's this way. Try not to get lost on the monorail there, buddy.
Aaron: I'm not five years old. I'll be fine.
Sasune: *laughs* Sure. Look out for that Kana girl! I tell ya, she's got the hots for you! Tell me all the juicy details when you two hook up!
Sasune then waved as he walked off into the distance. Aaron's face was beet red, as he thought of Kana again. He couldn't understand why she'd be interested in him, if that was even the case. As he began walking towards the monorail station, he found that it was extremely quiet. Soon, he was a good distance away from the school. Still, no one else but him was around.
Aaron: Huh? There's usually plenty of people outside at this time. How strange.
Out of the blue, he heard a loud howl. It was unlike anything he'd ever heard before. He looked around for a moment and tried to remain calm. He then heard the noise again.
Aaron: Okay, what the hell is that?! Doesn't sound like a dog or anything!
He then saw a few spirits run past him. They were in a hurry and didn't even bother to speak to him. He called out to them, but they were long gone by the time he did. The howling seemed to get closer and closer. Now he was starting to get freaked out. Suddenly, the fence a few feet in front of him burst open. He quickly braced himself, as wreckage flew all over. He then looked up with a horrified look on his face. A giant, slug-like creature stood a few feet from him. It's body was black and it had a terrifying mask on it's face. It slowly turned to Aaron, who was shaking by this time. It's yellow eyes glared at him as it howled again.
Aaron: What in the hell is that thing?!
A spirit of a man then peeked out from behind a fence. It shrieked, as the creature turned to it. Aaron wasted no time in using this distraction. He jumped behind the fence and landed next to the spirit, surprising it. Aaron then realized it was the man who tried to scare him earlier that day.
Aaron: You! I don't have time for your games right now!
Man: Hey! I know when to be serious! What is that thing out there?!
Aaron: I figured you'd know! Isn't if after you?
Man: *shrieks* I hope not! Then again, I'm a ghost, so it can't do much to me.
The creature suddenly came crashing through the fence. Aaron and the spirit quickly got up and began running. It trailed them every step of the way, tearing up the ground as it did.
Man: *running* Hey kid! Just let him eat you or something! Maybe he'll go away then!
Aaron: *running* Hell no! You go!
Man: No way! I taste like stale pork chops!
Aaron: Why don't you go try to scare him then?!
Man: Uh…I've got a feeling that won't work!
Aaron: Argh! I can't believe this!
The creature suddenly crashed into the ground behind them, causing the two to fly back. Aaron rubbed his head and the spirit began crying. The creature then started to charge towards them.
Aaron: Just great! Here it comes!
Man: *closes eyes* I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!Aaron: You're already dead, stupid!
As the creature was about to pounce on them, a glint of light flashed through the area. Suddenly, the creature split in two down the middle and faded away into nothingness. Aaron was speechless, as someone stood in front of him. It appeared to be Kana Mitarashi. She was wearing a black kimono with a red sash around her waist. An empty sheath was tied to the sash. In her right had was a katana. The color of its hilt was red. She turned her head towards the two with a smile on her face.
Kana: Thank goodness I got here in time! Who knows what would have happened!
Aaron: K-Kana?! I-Is that you?!
Kana: Yup! It's me alright! Oops! Maybe I should have said that…
Aaron: What in the world are you wearing?! Better yet, why do you have that sword?!
Kana: Ah! So you can see me!
Aaron: Huh? Why wouldn't I be able to see you?
Kana ignored his comment and walked over to the spirit. He cautiously stared at her as she approached him. Kana seemed to be studying the chain on his chest.
Kana: Hmm…not much longer before he transforms.
Man: *suddenly* BOO!
Kana: Eh? Are you trying to scare me or something?
Man: Dang! I can't scare anyone today!
Kana: I better use konsô on you before it's too late.
She suddenly tapped the spirit on the head with the end of her hilt. A stamp of some kind then appeared on his forehead. Out of nowhere, a glorious blue light began to surround him. He then sunk into the light. Aaron had watched the entire event with a blank look on his face. Kana put her katana back in it's sheath and was preparing to walk away. Aaron quickly held his hand out.
Aaron: Hold on a sec! What was that all about?! What was that monster?! And what did you do with that soul?!
Kana: So many questions! I only sent that soul to a better place.
Aaron: *raises eyebrow* A better place? Explain yourself! How come you can use a sword?! And seriously! What was that creature?!
Kana: *winks* See you tomorrow, Aaron!
She then vanished like the wind. Aaron ran over to the place she was standing, but realized she had already left. He then scratched his head.
Aaron: What in the hell is going on around here?
He suddenly heard the sounds of police sirens and decided to dart on home. It was getting late anyway. After riding the monorail and saying hi to a few spirits, he walked inside his house. The smell of food filled the kitchen as he sat down at the table. Izumi was making dinner and from the scent of it, it was pork chops.
Aaron: Yet again, you refuse to make Japanese food.
Izumi: *puts hands on hips* Well, hello to you as well.
Aaron: Ah, sorry! I've…sorta had a strange day.
Izumi: Really? Do tell.
Aaron: It's a long story that you probably won't believe.
Izumi: *shrugs* Fair enough. Is that the reason you're so late?
Aaron: *nods yes* You didn't hear anything…strange, did you?
Izumi: Nope. Can't say I did.
It was strange, he thought. Izumi hadn't heard the howling of that creature. Perhaps like the spirits around town, only he could see and hear whatever beast that was. Izumi noticed that he was lost in though as she put some plates on the table.
Izumi: You alive over there?
Aaron: *suddenly looks up* What?! Oh, yeah. I was just thinking.
Izumi: You scare me sometimes. You just have the habit of spacing out. Thinking about some girl you just met or something?
Aaron: *turns head* Just hand me a pork chop, smart ass.
Izumi only smiled as she put some food on Aaron's plate. She then watched on in horror as he proceeded to decimate the food. Afterwards, he belched while rubbing his stomach.
Aaron: Ah! Now that hits the spot!
Izumi: D-Do you want anymore? There's gonna be plenty, since mom isn't coming home again tonight.
Aaron: Did she call from work?
Izumi: *nods yes* She barely had any time to talk on the phone. Must be busy at the firm again. *sighs*
Aaron: Yeah. Things have been pretty rough around here ever since Dad died. Ah well, nothing much we can do about it. Anyway, hand me another pork chop!
Izumi shook her head, as she prepared to get some more food for her vacuum cleaner of a brother. After dinner was over, Aaron sat on a couch in the living room. The T.V. glowed through the dark room as the news came on.
Reporter: Sightings of strange creatures in the city have increased this past week, along with mysterious damages to public properly.
Aaron: So, I wasn't the only one who saw something.
Reporter: Investigators are looking into the strange phenomenon, but admit that progress is slowly being made.
As Aaron continued to watch, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. He turned to the kitchen, but Izumi was still in there, washing dishes. He then turned towards the window. Only the sound of the wind could be heard.
Aaron: Jeez, I must be tired or something. *yelling* Izumi! I'm going to bed!
Izumi: *yelling* Really? I figured you'd stay up watching anime!
Aaron: Ha! Very funny, you smart ass!
He then walked up the stairs towards him room. Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching him. They suddenly vanished as he went upstairs. All was then silent as the night continued to move on.
END