Title: Love's Strategy - A Game of Hide and Seek
Author: Hell's Dark Tenshi
E-mail: hellsdarktenshi@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Does not belong to me
Warning: Shounen-ai, violence later on
Summary: Nagi is starting to see life at a different perspective, will he try to give life a second chance?
And would he accept a friendship that could change his life around? Nagi POV
Rating: PG-13
Notes: Third chapter, Nagi visits Toshima High School...
Chapter 3 - Meeting Allies...and Enemies
I opened my eyes and struggled out of my chair. It seemed that for just this one time, I actually fell asleep in Physics. There was a first time for everything, and at least Yoki-sensei didn't catch me. I should be more cautious though, I might actually get caught one day and the last thing I need was detention.
In Math I confirmed to one of my friends, Koteri, that I would show up at the rink this afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't have this class with either Naoto or Hashi because I was taking an advanced course. Those two were really good friends and they always joked in a way that made me want to laugh.
The teacher came in with the announcement, "Since you should all have done your homework yesterday, this test should be no problem. Correct?"
There was a collective groan from various people around the classroom. I, of course, had read over this unit some days ago and was quite familiar with it too. Once the papers were handed out, my suspicions were confirmed. I believe that I'll get top marks in this class too.
At lunch, I went to the computer room to help finish setting up the computers. There were so many computers that this was proving to be a long task. The school board must be getting richer judging from the quality and quantity of the computers.
Haji had invited me to come and hang out with them during lunch, but again, I declined. I rarely had the chance to go to the library, so I went during lunch. And when I wasn't in the library, I was at the computer lab.
I have gym next. That main thought occupied my mind. It wasn't too much of a bother though, because I could set up these computers with little to no effort. I also set up these computers for a different reason other than I put forth. It would prove to be useful to know the layout and devices of the computers for future reference. In case I wanted to get information.
But then again, school computers rarely had that much security. To me anyways. To an amateur trying to break the securities to alter their grades, it could prove to be a challenge. The bell rang just as I was on the second last row of computers. I stood up and left immediately, I did not like wasting my time.
In Gym, I listened to Tawaka-sensei explain moves and techniques. She made it a point to teach little by little so that we had more time to practice each skill. I wondered what the season after floor hockey was. I was a bit concerned over the fact that it may be something that didn't require groups. Maybe something like tennis or badminton. When it came to actually physically hitting with force, I certainly didn't hit hard enough. I did make it a personal goal not to use my powers so that I could prove to myself that I could pass without cheating.
I guess that was another thing. I did not take the easiest ways out of doing hard work. I always used my powers to help me in hard situations, but it may not be very wise to use it here. I knew that I'd get hell from Crawford if I exposed my powers to anyone.
I was really starting to get the hang of the skill at the end of the period. To think, I'd have to this in rollerblades. Maybe someone would be kind enough to save me from making a complete fool of myself, if I'm lucky. If not, then I probably won't even see those guys from the other school after the season anyways. I had to play a mandatory of two games, everyone had to who had joined. Then, if you want to, you may play some more. I don't think I'll take up that offer anytime soon.
Music was an...interesting...experience today. Someone, somehow switched the notes of the band. The ones that were kept at school anyways. I had mine with me, so I still had my papers intact. The piece the trumpets were supposed to play went to the clarinets and saxophone. The clarinets' piece went to the flutes and the cellos. And so on and so forth...
"Is it so necessary to go this fast?" I asked while standing up with my rollerblades on my feet. "We still have the week left."
"Since you already have the basic hang of it, we decided to incorporate the hockey part into it." Hashi was standing and watching the players skate around the rink.
I had met up with them after school, but instead of going to the public rink, we went to a different part of the building. It seems they had booked this rink to practice. There were nets at either end of the rink, which was as big as the gym we'd be playing in. At least I'm not playing ice hockey. I'd probably end up with more bruises, not to mention that it would be cold and ice was far more slippery than polished hard wood floors.
I was handed a stick and I spent some minutes going around the rink while holding the stick in the proper position. I was then supposed to learn how to pass. It seems that when I passed the puck, what a weird name, hard to pronounce; probably American, Newton's law of inertia came into play. I was supposed to keep skating while passing to help keep my balance. It took the rest of the two hours there to learn how to aim properly while skating to keep away from other players. I wonder if they expected me to have three sets of eyes, one to watch where I was going, one to watch the puck and the last to watch where I'm passing.
It was now six in the evening and I should be getting home. I politely declined their invitation for dinner. I gathered my school bag and headed out the door. The sun was starting to fade over in the far horizon. The days were getting shorter as winter drew closer. I stopped and watched the colours that were reflected upon the sky. Beautiful purples mixed with various hues of red, yellow and orange. It provided for one calming and lovely picturesque scene.
Well, now I'm starting to use words like picturesque and lovely. Then, it just seemed right, that so wonderful a scene be described by equally worthy words. I went into the house and into my room, pausing once again just to announce my presence.
That day, one of the the team's players was really down. It seemed that he just broke up with his girlfriend that he'd been dating for some time. I didn't know why my friends wanted to date. I couldn't see what they thought was so special about sharing your life and time with another person. In the end, they always leave you.
Though actually, Tot didn't leave me. I left her. I decided it was for the best back then to sever any contact with her because she distracted me from my work. As Crawford reminded me, I had to get back at the society that had hurt me. My place was with Schwarz then, and still with them now. I did not resent Crawford at all for slapping me or saying those things. They were the right things to say at the time.
I still knew where Tot was now. I had been keeping track of her, watching over her just mainly out of curiosity. She was currently living with a family, an elderly couple that took interest in her amusing personality. They knew nothing of her past and from what I could observe, it seems she didn't remember. Or she buried it inside her to never talk about it again except with her darling Rabbi-chan.
Then, maybe she didn't want to remember. She was doing much better under this couple's care. They showered her with affection and helped her get through life. She was attending school and getting average grades. Being in this family was good for her and I didn't want to take it away from her. In my opinion, she suffered enough, she deserved some breaks.
Still, many people have left me in my life to prove my thoughts. My parents certainly left me. They left me when I was very young and then all the kids from the neighbourhood called me names and insulted me. If my friends wanted to break their hearts, then that was their problem. I saw no point in the whole romantic saying "It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
I could get the message: it's better to have found love, felt what it's like and then have lost it, rather than never having felt love ever. And as much as I didn't want to admit it, this scared me a bit. Is love really that wonderful that people spend so much of their times looking for their soulmates? What is being loved anyways?
I concentrated on my Physics assignment and managed to finish up to the fourth page in...I looked at the clock, it read 8:30...two hours. Time to eat dinner, I needed to eat more now that I was actually doing some physical activity. I went to the kitchen and found Schuldig there. Great, just great. I didn't feel like talking that much, so I went about preparing my meal while completely ignoring him. Just in case though, I checked my mental shields, they were doing fine as far as I could tell.
Apparently, Schuldig didn't like being ignored, and he was probably here to annoy me with his presence. "How's school?" He sat there with that face that said he was in the mood for twenty questions.
"Fine." My reply was short and I saw no need to elaborate on it. I sat there silently while willing Schuldig to go away. If he got bored enough, he might just leave me alone.
"I believe your school doesn't end at 6:00, care to enlighten me to what you've been doing?" Obviously, he was not leaving.
"None of your business." I was halfway through my meal by now because I didn't eat very much. "If I wanted you to know, I would have told you already."
"I know...!" I forgot, the problem with Schuldig was that he would make up embarassing theories if he wasn't given an answer. "You're dating! Aww...you're growing up so fast!" He said the last part in a sickeningly sweet voice. And with what he said, I almost got sick.
"No..." I finished my meal and put the dish in the dishwasher, "I am not seeing anybody." I then left the room before he decided to push even harder on the subject. He was very stubborn at times, or actually, all the time.
I went back to my room and managed to finally finish my Physics assignment. At least I don't have Physics next semester, my schedule was History, English, Math 20 Advanced and Art. I wasn't too sure about Art, it was picked out for me because the class wasn't full yet. English I already knew quite a lot because of living with Crawford for 7 years. He said that it would be helpful to learn one of the most widely spoken languages.
I was supposed to meet tomorrow afterschool for practice yet again and then I had to get home to prepare for that night's mission.
The week passed by relatively quick. I was managing to do fine in floor hockey, at least the skating and passing parts, though most of the time I couldn't really shoot the puck in the net. After two days, they decided my best position would be forward. I would probably get hurt because I'm in the thick of the game, but if I were defense, it would look really silly to have me against someone who is two times taller and three times heavier. I would probably hurt even more, so I took the lesser of the two evils. Goalie was not even thought about since there were already a few good goalies in our group and we didn't have to worry about running out.
I had a fitful sleep the night before the meeting with Toshima. What if it was just another opportunity to be shown that I would never be able to fit in with everyone else? To have that knowledge thrown back into my face would be one of the most fearful things I could think of. I started tossing and turning; my nightmares progressively got worse during the night and soon, in my dreams and in the real world, I started crying.
"Nagi, Nagi?" I heard someone calling my name and I soon found my way back to reality. When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of Schuldig leaning over my face. He pulled back as I sat up in my bed.
"Schuldig?" I was still a bit sleepy and I didn't know what he was doing in my room.
"Are you alright?" he asked me. It was strange to hear it from him because he had never really shown his caring side before.
I managed a slight nod and then sank down into my bed. I saw him pull up the covers over me and then ruffle my hair. "Guten nacht, chibi." He said good night to me and I was too tired to protest the nickname. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I felt him kiss my forehead then whisper, "I'll make sure you don't have anymore nightmares."
The next day, as I made my way downstairs, I thought about the night before. My recollection was vague, but I could have sworn that I saw a side of Schuldig that not many had seen. The thoughts about last night led to thoughts about my nightmares. I must have been worried and thinking about the subject to some level to dream about it. I usually didn't have many dreams that I could remember, and mostly I only remembered my nightmares.
I fixed my breakfast and left for school, deep in thought. I handed my Physics assignment as soon as I got into the classroom. It was due tomorrow, but I had already finished it so I decided to hand it in. I listened for a while to Yoki-sensei talk to the class about the assignment that was due tomorrow.
In Math class, I said a brief hello to Koteri and sat down to think some more. This was getting to be too monotonous, it seemed that all I am doing nowadays is thinking about myself and my meeting. At least the meeting would be over tonight. I can get over the nervousness that had been mounting in my stomach.
At lunch, I visited the library since I was done with the basic maintenance of the computers. As long as nothing goes wrong, I wouldn't be back in the computer room for some time. I skimmed the titles in the fantasy section, none of them catching my attention until my gaze landed on a book that was titled in English. I pulled the book out to get a closer look at it and saw that it was hardcover. There were gold designs on the front page and it was a pretty thin book. On the spine, the title simply read "Love". There was no indication of an author or publishing company. The book intrigued me and I made my way to the seats in the library holding the book in hand.
I opened the book and turned the page; the title was simply printed again, "Love". I found myself suddenly eager to read. Why would anyone write something like this, with no acknowledgement? Maybe the person decided that it was better to remain anonymous. The next page contained a poem. It was in handwriting, and the letters were in gold. The edges of the pages were also gold. The poem read:
Thank you for everything
Thank you for being there
Thank you for showing me
Just how much that you care
You have always been there
To heal my broken heart
To assuage my deep hurt
From being far apart
I love the way you hug
I love the way you kiss
And wherever you go
It is you I will miss
So to sum it all up
As best as it can be
Thank you ever so much
Thank you for loving me
There must have been some mistake. This book looked like it didn't belong in the fantasy section. Then again, I hadn't even read much other than the poem. The next page half filled with writing on the bottom half. The top half of the page contained the number "1". I started reading the page with a curiosity I rarely displayed.
What is love anyways? It is not a substance that has mass, nor anything that may be seen. It is a feeling. But what type of feeling? It is
not easily described or analyzed. Does Love take conscious thought? Or does it take a hold of a deeper subconscious part of the brain? Love,
some people say, is a euphoria. But I beg to differ. Love never can flourish healthily under overconfidence or over-optimism. And yes, Love
can hurt so very much. It may bring such great pain that it may shatter you from inside out. It may cause you to lose any sense of self
control and make you do things that you normally would not. Love was created pure for good purposes. Yet, it has somewhat been
corrupted. Many thoughts, feelings, even things, are mistaken for Love, but none of them are the true Love. So many are confused to what
the meaning of Love is, that there may not be one actual correct answer.
So the pages that follow, are of my account, about what Love means to me. I am though, but one person, and therefore, am limited
in view. If taken a fancy upon, or caught unaware, by this book, then surely, my view can be added upon and therefore, be one step
closer to complete. Told about true experiences, lessons learned, loves lost and gained, and the meaning of Love to the person.
I closed the book as I saw that it was time to go to my next class. I thought about what I read on the first page, it had me intrigued. I borrowed the book out of the library so that I could read it later on. I took it to my locker and just finished taking out my change of clothes for Gym when Naoto came up to me.
"How are you getting to Toshima?" He asked me.
"I'll walk there." I said, while going to the change room.
"So am I," Naoto talked while we were changing. "Do you want to meet here at around 6:45 and then walk there together?"
"That sounds fine to me," I finished changing and headed out to the gym. "I'll see you there."
We spent the time before the teacher called order to talk about our meeting night. We were going to meet there at around 7:00 and then everyone from both teams would be introduced. After introductions then we were free to socialize over food and drinks. That sounded like a plan to me. Since we were going to play together with them for the whole season, might as well get along together.
That afternoon, after school, I sat in front of my computer and did more assignments. I didn't really want to admit it, even to myself, but I was actually a bit nervous over meeting the other team. There would be so many people there who were probably (make that certainly) larger than me and I would probably feel out of place too.
I frowned slightly, but the foreign expression quickly deserted my face. I shouldn't think like that. I'm sure that Naoto or Hashi or even Kotori wouldn't make me feel left out. They wouldn't stand for me being bullied either. It felt sort of...nice...to know that they would be there for me. I felt like I belonged with them. I certainly wasn't the most friendly person on the team and I didn't really socialize often, but they knew a lot about me from being with me for so long.
I moved my backpack from across the room to float beside me as I took out the book that I borrowed from the library today. I turned to the next page from where I had left of and started reading. I was glad that I learned english because of Crawford since the page was in English also.
March 25, 1945
I met her again. The love of my life. She is like an angel sent from heaven, her eyes are twin emeralds, her lips soft and her cheeks rosy. Her
head crowned with golden waves of hair. She came from Italy the other day and stayed at our inn. Her name was Rosita Ciappino.
Before I get too far ahead of myself and forget to explain to you who is reading this, I run an inn with my brother, Jacques. My name is
Alexandre Divot and I am 20 years old. I have lived in France all of my life, in the town Versailles. It is a small town that provides little for
entertainment. Our inn, La Chamere, is located near the end of town, going to Paris, the capital of France.
As I walked to my school, I thought about what I read. This Alexandre seemed smitten with Rosita from first sight. He also lived in France, which was halfway across the Earth from Japan. I did know a few things about France, mainly that it was famous for it's wines, and for being the land of Love. The French language was known to be one of the romance languages. I wonder what this would turn out to be like.
I saw Naoto waiting for me at the corner and we fell in step together. We walked in silence, he knowing that I preferred not to talk much. We reached the school soon and met a lot of people from our team.
Tawaka-sensei was talking to a middle aged woman that I could only imagine to be the other coach. There were some teens that I did not recognize, they must be from the other team.
"Hey Naoto, Nagi," Hashi greeted us. He was standing there with a cup of juice in his hand.
"Hi" I replied back, with a tiny smile.
"Hey Hashi!" Naoto was more enthusiastic in his greeting. He turned to me also when he said, "Remember I said that I have friends going here?"
I nodded and waited for him to continue.
"Well, let's go say hi to them!" With that, Naoto proceeded to lead the way, Hashi and I following behind him. He stopped near a group of people who were talking. They turned around and they started greeting each other. "Guys, these two are Nagi and Hashi, two of my teammates" He introduced us.
"Well, I'm Jirou," A boy with black hair and eyes said. He was taller than me by a couple of inches and but was as skinny as me. He started to introduce his friends around him. "These people are: "Kiro, Mizu, Shiro and Omi."
I started at the name Omi. Our eyes met and held together, dark blue with light sky blue.
A/N: I got it up!
I hope this chapter was okay... ^.^
If you have any questions or comments, please put them in reviews or e-mail me at hellsdarktenshi@hotmail.com and I will address them.