Chapter 3

Kikuhana was at school, its not like she wanted to be there but she had no other option really. The classes seemed much longer then they usually were. Seconds acted like minutes and minutes like hours. Kiku wondered if she could somehow escape at lunch, to have sometime alone to think... Sadly that wasn't the case. Most of the students talked about yesterday's tragic event. Kikuhana walked on the balcony of the school and leaned on the rail, seeing the spot where she usually ate with her friends. Most of the Student Counsel was there like normal, all but three; Kallen, Lelouch and Suzaku. Kallen had the 'sick girl' act so no one thought twice if she wasn't at school. Suzaku was absent for obvious reasons, as was Lelouch. No one else knew about Lelouch being Princess Euphemia's sister; no one but Suzaku and Kikuhana. Kikuhana felt sick to her core, she wanted to go home, and she wanted to avoid two of her friends as much as she could. But how was she planning on doing that? For one thing Kiku worked with Suzaku; she was also a Black Knight member. The girl laced her fingers through her hair, frustrated by the situation. The bell then rang, telling students to get back to class.

Three hours later class ended. The 17 year old teen felt a form of relief; however the knot tightening feeling was still there. Kiku was going to walk home, considering her ride had probably left for work. Kiku started walking across campus, only a few students-still in uniform-hung around to chat. She saw the school's gate only a few feet away but stopped. Her stomach turned and her throat locked when she saw Rolo, he was Lelouch's brother. I need to get home, she thought, becoming more uneasy, not knowing if Lelouch would even be with him. However she didn't want to take the chance. Something caught her eye; there were two people on the school grounds, a boy and a girl. The girl had long orange hair and then man had long black hair that was in a low ponytail. This shouldn't have been a big deal considering other people were there. But it was the way they were dressed that grabbed Kiku's attention. Who...are they? The brown hair, brown eyed girl walked up to the duo. The girl in green looked scared and confused while the man she was with seemed unfazed, at least he acted that way.

"Um, excuse me...can I help you?" Kiku questioned coming to a stop. Itachi flashed his black eyes to the girl who approached them. The brunette wore a curious expression. She seemed like a harmless school girl; holding books and in a uniform. Hatone hesitated to speak. She kept glancing up at Itachi and back to the girl.

"Where exactly is this place?" Itachi asked after a long pause.

"You're at Ashford Academy," Kiku answered them, slight curiosity still in her voice.

"Are you two looking for someone?" She tilted her head slightly, the dark strands of hair swept across her eyes. Itachi scanned his eyes across the schoolyard again.

"No one in particular," he answered. Hatone kept her worried expression worn on her face. Someone finally approached them after running around in the strange new world for a day. She fiddled with the Uchiha crest pendant around her neck. The nauseated feeling returned as Kiku took a step back. The man was intimating. She glanced at the girl. What is going on here? Kiku stared at the two, slightly confused and concerned. Hatone had been anxious from the moment they had arrived in this world. Itachi could since the girl starting to grow uneasy and wondered if she was getting the feeling off of Hatone.

"W...we're just trying to figure things out..." Hatone finally spoke in a quite, soft voice. Figure things…? Kiku straighten her stance.

"Oh, so, are you two exchange students?" she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear so that the nervous girl could see her face more. Hatone felt her eyes slightly widen. She didn't know just how well her lies would work, or if they would make since to the girl.

"Yeah," Itachi answered for her. "We're exchange students." Kiku glanced up at the man, locking eyes with him for a moment before looking back at the girl.

"That being the case, do you both want to come with me to my place? That way you could call your hotel and get settled in." She smiled warmly at the two as she waited for an answer from the girl, however she had a feeling her friend would answer for her. Itachi and Hatone exchanged glances at one another. Hatone bit her lip a bit before she slightly nodded her head. Itachi's face softened a bit before he took his glance off Hatone. The girl seemed nice enough. She appeared to be a harmless, unsuspecting school girl. For now, she could be trusted enough for Itachi and Hatone to go with her.

"That would be very kind of you," Hatone replied in the same, soft voice with a warm smile to go with her answer. Kikuhana returned the smile to the girl; it was nice to hear her talk.

"If you two are ready we can go," She almost turned to started walking but paused, "I'm Kikuhana by the way," Once again, Hatone looked up at Itachi for an answer.

"Itachi," he replied with the same dull voice he's been using.

"I'm Hatone," Hatone replied with a small, slightly nervous smile. They had no idea if their names would be recognized here, which is why Itachi chose not to mention his last name.

"Well it's very nice to meet you both, I'm sure you'll adapt to the school nicely," Kiku added as she started walking. In a way Kiku was surprised by her fast actions to invite them into her home, but it was to help them and she needed to keep her mind occupied. Despite Kikuhana's kindness, Hatone still felt uneasy about the whole situation. Itachi, naturally, kept his guard up, ready for just about anything to happen. Hatone tried to keep her mind from wandering. She had a habit of making up exaggerated scenarios in her head whenever she became paranoid... which was a lot. Even so, she had to remind herself: Kikuhana was just a seemingly innocent school girl. What's the worst that can go wrong?