DISCLAIMER: Mariame does not own kodocha, or anything pertaining to; Miho Obana does. However, the songs are mariame's, and so is Mrs. Sigake... er, she's an OC, anyways...

Due to the fact that someone has missplaced the author 'Mariame' 's head, I, the Mighty Replace-o-Author, am taking her place! -victory light- Am I not the latest, greatest, most beautiful computer program ever?! What do you mean you can't see me? I can see you! You! With your hair pulled to one side wearing a loose sweatshirt! What is this, the eighties? And you! With the doxon on your lap! Get that poor animal to the groomer! Ah, that's better. Mariame had said that she was waiting for 5 reviews before she posted any more chapters... but she isn't here, is she? Well, not all of her, at least. Now on with the story!!!

CHAPTER FOUR

For the next week, Sana had managed to put up with the new teacher. It was awful, but luckily only two others were hit during the time.

Though her commercials and guest appearances had been cancelled, Rei had managed to convince (more like bribe) her into doing her weekly show, Child's Toy, where she told everyone about her memory loss. The show was just as crazy as always (so she was told).

She still didn't remember anything, though. She tried, but nothing seemed to be put together right. However, Sana did pay careful attention to Akito. As the days went by, she became rather paranoid about it. Everything he did or said made him a reporter or a journalist or a spy. She just couldn't help it. She had to be extra, EXTRA careful around him.

Akito, on the other hand, found that Sana's mother was probably right. Since that night, Sana only recalled things the next day. The other days she was oblivious. And she was acting strange. She would stop abruptly in a sentence, like she was trying to hide something from him. But, he did still feel bad about what he had done. He was still debating on telling the truth and apologizing.

It was Thursday again. The sound, more irritating than ever. Sana dreamed of rows of pigs all dressed in hula skirts dancing on the beach. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw only one pig, shakin' its groove thing on top of her alarm clock. "Ooh." She saw the time and noticed it was only eight-thirty. "Eight-thirty?! Late again!" She jumped out of bed and dressed quickly. "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta G-O!" She landed in the kitchen and grabbed a slice of toast. "Bye Mrs. Shamura! Bye Mama! Oh, you're writing. Bye Mama's editor!" She sped by them, then backed up to the editor, who was drinking something hot from a mug. "Oh! Hot chocolate!" She grabbed the cup and gulped it all down.

"Uh… Sana? That's not-," Babbit tried to say.

"Sorry can't talk now, gotta run! I'll be late! Again! Rei, let's hit it- ah. You're already in the car. Don't go slow this time!" She stuffed the rest of the bread in her mouth.

Amazingly, this time, Rei actually got her to school before the first bell rang.

"Thanks, bye!" Sana leaped out of the car and saw Akito in the distance. "Heeeeeeyyy…"

Akito was still wondering if he'd have to get Sana a bunch of fluffy junk when Tsuyoshi, walking next to him, stood cold in his tracks.

"Here she comes…" He said eerily.

First he heard her. Then he saw her.

"Akito, Akito, Akito, Akito, Akito, Akito, Akito, Akito, Akito, AKITO!!!"

Everyone turned to watch as a huge dust cloud came right for the boy, led by a girl with flying red pigtails.

Akito had just learned how to brace himself for oncoming attacks in karate. He tensed his muscles, concentrating his point of gravity at his heels, bending his knees outward just a little. When she didn't slow down, however, he clenched his eyes tight.

"Hey, Akito! Guess what I had for breakfast? Come on! Guess - guess - guess - guess - guess - guess!" Her voice was close.

He opened one eye, then the other. Somehow she had managed to stop six inches away from him. "Uh… coffee?" He could smell it on her.

"Uh-huh! Mama's editor likes it really strong and really sweet- you see, I was running late this morning and when I saw he was drinking something I thought it was hot chocolate so I grabbed it and drank it and now I can't get this buzz outta my head! Do you like coffee? I think it's my new most favorite drink ever! You know…"

He watched as she continued on, jumping around the schoolyard unable to stop. He made a mental note to never, ever, EVER give that girl a caffeinated drink. Right then he remembered their new teacher. She would not appreciate Sana like this. She showed up then. 'Well, well. Speak of the devil and she will appear…' Mrs. Sigake walked right up to him, and he stood in her way.

"Student number twelve?" She looked down her nose at the boy.

"Mrs. Sigake- you can't treat the students like you are." He said bluntly.

"And how's that?" Her eyes sparked.

"You treat them like they're worthless. Like there's no hope for their future. As a teacher, it's your responsibility to show others that their needed. You… treat 'em like crap."

At this point, the others from class 3A were gathering around.

"How dare you! You are in no position to tell me my job, and as your teacher and elder, you are to give me respect!"

"I would if you'd return the favor. How can you call yourself a teacher- a mentor- when don't give the students any respect? They're just kids!"

"Yeah! We have names you know!" Gome said.

"Hmph." The teacher side-stepped Akito and continued inside.

They cheered him and followed him inside. Sana caught up to Akito and Tsuyoshi and said, "Also, I think I figured a way to get our old teacher back, but I'm gonna need you guys' help."

"So what do we do?" Tsuyoshi asked.

"We'll force her down, tie her up and make her act good!" She said excitedly.

"It won't work." The bell rang as Akito said this.

"Well what do you suggest, know-it-all?" She asked.

"Let's just get to class."

Just as Sana sat down at her desk, she jumped up again. Mrs. Sigake hadn't come in just yet, so she was good for a bit. She couldn't sit still though, even though the coffee was almost worn off. "I'll be back!" She ran out, a real plan forming in her mind. She hardly realized Akito had followed her out. After awhile of searching, she found the principal's office. She stormed inside without knocking.

A man was standing, talking to another man, sitting.

"…you've got to!" The man standing finished.

The one sitting, the principal, a short large man with a shiny bald head, noticed the children. "Yes?" He asked in his silly voice as his head went over to the side.

"Principal Naru Naru?" Sana commanded. (She'd read the name on the door.)

"Aaah!" The man standing jumped and turned. "Oh! Hello Sana!"

"Do I know you?"

"Well, yes. I'm-"

"Never mind. Principal Naru Naru, I'm from class 3A, and we got a new teacher, Mrs. Sigake, last week and we can't stand her! She's horrible! Please, you've got to get rid of her!"

"Kurata…" Akito warned.

"Huh? Hey, when did you- anyways, we want our old teacher back! We want Miss Mitsuya!"

The man standing sweat-dropped. "Umm… Sana?" He asked.

"Yeah? What?"

"I was just-,"

"Just leaving? Good!" She pushed him out. "Now! What do we have to do to get rid of that horrible woman?"

"Kurata, maybe you shouldn't-,"

"Stop trying to stop me, spy! I think you want Miss Mitsuya back as much as I do. Well?" She turned back to the principal.

"Yes, I suppose it's possible. But that means we'd have to get rid of Mr. Tanaka, the man who was just here…"

"You got it! I'll break the news!" Sana was on her way out when Akito grabbed her collar and yanked her back. "Eck!" She coughed.

"Don't. It's not a good idea. He said.

"Well as long as we don't have to put up with that awful woman anymore!" This time she managed to escape his grasp.

He just now realized what she had called him. 'What was that for?' He wondered.

Everyone sat in their chairs, dread filling their seventh-grade hearts. But, the new teacher was running a little late. No, a lot late. Where was she? As the time ticked on, they started talking, trying to figure out what happened. Though Sana and Akito had returned, they wouldn't say where they had been and what they had done.

Then, near the end of what was supposed to be first period, the door opened and Mrs. Sigake came in, to their horror. Sana and Akito both couldn't talk. What had happened?

"Students?" She raised an eyebrow. "I've come to apologize."

No one could believe their ears!

"I haven't been a good role-model for any of you. I have treated you all with hatred and disrespect. I thought- I thought that if I demanded respect from others I would receive it in return. I … thought wrong." She sighed at this point as water sprang to her emerald eyes. "I have a confession to make. You see, when I was young, I went to a very private, very strict, school. All the teachers were horrible! A lot- a lot like I am- er- was. But, I found they were treated with high regard. With respect. What I didn't know was that the school had only hired them because they were cheap. You see, I was the youngest of seven children and I hardly got any attention, good or bad, from my family at all. So I thought- I figured- that if I, too, became a teacher, I'd get the attention I wanted. It came with a price. The attention I received was bad. So I became bad. If it weren't for you-," she looked at Akito, "then probably I'd be hitting someone right now." She smiled dryly. Looking down, Mrs. Sigake finished. "So, I've decided to quit teaching. I'm going to start fresh. I'm changing my ways, and I want to thank all of you." She bowed her head as a lone tear slid off her cheek and unto her desk.

They weren't too sure what their emotion should be. Surprised? Happy? Happy 'cause she was leaving, or because she was gonna change?

"Good for you!" Sana stood up and started clapping.

Following suit, all the students began clapping, too.

"Thank you." Mrs. Sigake repeated and for the first time, really smiled.

The door opened and the assistant principal, Ms. Onda, came in followed by Miss Mitsuya.

"Good morning students. Mrs. Sigake." The assistant principal said. "Mrs. Sigake has informed me that she will no longer be teaching you. So Miss Mitsuya will be replacing her for the rest of the day, and the year. Miss Mitsuya?"

She bowed. "Thank you."

All the students cheered, and Sana sang a song congratulating her return. (Author's input- I'm too tired rather, lazy to think up a song- you'll have to imagine it.)

Throughout the day, even though everyone was overjoyed to have their old teacher back, Sana could tell something was bothering her terribly. She tried to hide it, and no one else seemed to catch it, but Sana could see.

When school was over, Sana (and Akito, she noted annoyingly) lingered behind the others. When they were gone, she asked Miss Mitsuya, "Is something wrong?"

"Huh?" She looked up from her papers. "What makes you say that?" She asked.

"Well, all day you've been acting all weird. Shouldn't you be happy you got your job back?"

"Oh, Sana! You don't know how happy I am to be back here! All week I worried about you guys, and now I'm here with you; I'm just-," She couldn't take it anymore. She started crying.

"Miss Mitsuya?" Sana asked, putting out her hand.

"What happened?" Akito asked.

When their teacher could catch her breath, she said between sobs, "Well, whenever they told me I could have my job back, I was so happy! Then, I was on my way to the restroom when I passed by Principal Naru Naru's office and I heard him, Miss Onda, Mr. Tanaka talking. They said that in order for me to have my job back, Mr. Tanaka would lose his. Because he'd lose his job as a teacher, he wouldn't have enough money to stay here, so he'd be forced to move away!" She began sobbing again.

Sana began connecting some dots. "You mean Mr. Tanaka was the guy you were making out with?"

"Told you not to interfere." Akito said.

The ever present Babbit was taken aback. "So you mean Sana's responsible for all this?!"

"Oh, Miss Mitsuya! I'm so sorry! I didn't know- oh I'm such an idiot!"

"Got that right."

Without turning, Sana pulled out her mallet and smacked Akito in the face.

"What are we gonna do?" Sana asked. She racked her brains for something, anything. Then, brilliance struck. It was almost as if someone had hit her with her own mallet. But when her head started throbbing, she realized someone had. "Akito! What was that for, you jerk!"

"Thought you'd like a taste of your own medicine." She was about to hit him again when he said, "Shouldn't we concentrate on the problem here?"

"Oh. Miss Mitsuya, you know what I think?"

"Nuh-uh." The teacher shook her head.

"If you and Mr. Tanaka were supposed to be together, then the school board shouldn't be able to pull you two apart. No matter what obstacle you face or hurdle you jump, remember true love conquers all!" A victory light came on behind her as she pointed to the sky.

"Amor Vincent Omni a!" Babbit said.

"You carry your stage stuff around with you? Where do you put it?" Akito asked.

Ignoring him, Miss Mitsuya said, "Oh, Sana, do you think so?"

"Yup, I sure do. Now in order for Mr. Tanaka to stay in this city he has to have enough to support himself, right?"

"Yeah…"

"So, what if I told you I could arrange it for him to have enough money to stay, support you, and NOT have to worry about getting caught together?" Sana was getting excited now.

"Maybe you shouldn't, Kurata…" Akito was almost positive she was about to offer money.

"What? I heard some people at the studio talking, and they need someone to work in props. Do you think he'd be able to do it?"

"Maybe. Oh, I don't know. Maybe we should ask him."

"Yeah! Let's go!" Sana grabbed his and her hands, but Miss Mitsuya stopped her.

"I have paperwork to do. Sorry."

Sana didn't hesitate. She ran out of the school as fast as she could, Akito flailing behind like a ragdoll. But then she realized she had no idea of where she was going. She stopped abruptly, sending him flying ahead like a boomerang. And like a boomerang, he snapped back, falling on top of her.

"Unh." The air was forced out of his lungs.

Sana slowly opened her eyes and saw she was looking into two shining pools of hazel. She could see pain, but hope. Fear, and love. Love for- for what?

Akito stared back, her light brown eyes pulling him in. She was still the same girl he knew from before, but she was changed somehow. Not from the amnesia, but something else. Then, without meaning to, he leaned down and touched his lips to hers.

At first, Sana didn't realize what had happened. She was in a daze. It took less than a second (maybe a second or two more, but she would always deny it afterward) for her to push him off and sit up. "Ahh! Why is it every time you get close to my face you gotta kiss it?!"

"Huh? Oh I guess I did, didn't I?"

"Why you little…" She jumped up at him, about to strike.

He easily caught her wrist and pulled her under him again.

"Aki-,"

"Why is it every time I kiss you, you gotta bash me in the head with that darn mallet?" His gaze never wavered from her. She looked so innocent there, lying on the grass, her red hair sprawled around her.

She felt a little intimidated, but she knew he wouldn't hurt her. Sana knew why she'd hit him every time, though. She was a bit apprehensive about the whole "boyfriend-girlfriend" thing that she wasn't too sure on what to do. She was too shy to ask, and when Akito had openly tried to go further, she'd made a game out of it. "I'm… scared." She barely whispered, closing her eyes tight.

He had to lean in to hear it, but heard it just the same. The last thing he wanted was for her to be lost, in any sense of the word. "Kurata, if you don't want me to do something then tell me, and I won't."

She opened her eyes and saw she was looking at the base of his neck, his pulse racing. "Please. Not now." She said, her eyes soft.

Akito nodded, but couldn't help himself. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "No. Not now." He responded.

"Don't you have somethin' you gotta do?" Babbit reprimanded.

"Oh! Mr. Tanaka!" Sana jumped up, grabbed her barucha, and pressed for Rei.

'That went all wrong.' Akito thought to himself, watching as Sana ran up to the nearest phone booth.

She went over and dialed Rei up. (Mama had said she was too young for a cell phone.) "Rei, Rei, Rei, Rei!" She shouted.

"Sana! I was in front of the school and you-,"

"Never mind that. Do you know if that job's still open at the studio for props?"

"Um. I think- so…"

"Good! Call 'em up and tell 'em we found their man!" She hung up the phone.

"Come, on Akito!" She ran off down the street… in the direction of Mr. Tanaka's house.

'She's on her way to Mr… Wait. Was her mother right after all? She apparently didn't remember anything too major just now, but I might be able to fix that…' He secretly smiled as he ran off after her.

Mr. Tanaka was putting his grandmother's old afghan in a box when the doorbell rang. Sighing, he went over to the door and opened it. Sana Kurata and Akito Hayama from Miss Mitsuya's class stood there. "You! You brought me bad luck today, Kurata! I'm sorry but I can't see you right now." He began to close the door, but someone's foot was in the way.

"Well we just came by to bring you some good luck, Mr. Tanaka! Please hear us out!" Sana begged.

Unsure, and because he couldn't close the door, he allowed her to speak.

"Miss Mitsuya told us what happened. I'm sorry I made you lose your job, but our new teacher was awful! And besides- I found you a new one!"

"A new job?"

"No a new teacher." Akito said sarcastically.

"At the studio there's an opening in the props department. Think you can handle it?" She asked, but before letting him speak she continued, "Imagine the joys you could bring to the actors as you prepare the stage in the most amazing way. How the audience will feel as the mood is set in the air… You, Mr. Tanaka. Only you can create the mood of the movies that win the awards! I can see it now! Oh Mr. Tanaka, the awards will be everywhere! And all because of you!"

Stars shown in his eyes. "Awards… Sana, they found their man! I don't want to waste any time. Let's go right now!" True to his word, he caught both kids and dragged them all the way there. He was fast enough he didn't need a car. (Don't ask me how he knew how to get there.)

"You know, some people would call this kidnapping!" Akito managed to say over the howling wind.

They burst through the door of the studio and everyone turned to look. This time Sana took the lead. She went down the hall (she'd entered through the back like always) and opened every door on the way down. "Uhh… hello? We're here - oh, sorry! – to see about the – oh, excuse me! – job opening in – wow, are those real? – props!" Sana pushed open the last door and even though saw they were filming, called out, "Does anyone here know about the job opening in props?!"

Every pair of eyes turned toward her. Akito, for the first time in his life, felt embarrassed as he stepped behind the pig-tailed eccentric. It didn't help much that he could almost touch his chin to the top of her head.

"Sana-chan! My shining star! You come to join us? Naozumi here is doing a commercial for a juice drink. The other actors aren't any good."

A girl came up with choppy hair and a flaky make-up job. "Obana here…"

"Nope. I'm here to give Mr. Tanaka the job in props. Is that possible?"

"Hmm let me see… You'd have to talk to that guy over there."

"Sure thing! Hey you there! By the water cooler! I heard you needed a guy for props?"

"Yeah…"

"How 'bout him?" Sana asked, pointing to the ex-teacher, who blushed and placed a hand behind his head.

The man thought for a second then talked to another man standing behind him. Turning back, he gave the thumbs-up sign.

Mr. Tanaka jumped in the air. "I have a job! That means Miss Mitsuya and I can get married without worries of the school board catching us!"

"I still think it's sad they let the Board control their lives…" Sana whispered to Akito.

"Maybe some people can't live their lives without the control of superiors…" He whispered back.

"Still, people need to learn to take control and not let others do the important work for them…"

Babbit looks toward the audience (figuratively). "Do you see the moral here? By the way, that doesn't include your parents- they always have say over you!"

"Sana-chan!" The director called.

"Yes?"

"So whaddya say? Do the commercial? It'll be a quick one. And… you look like you know karate, boy. What's your name?"

"Hayama Akito."

"Good, good! You'll be the enemy. You two go get dressed. I won't take no for an answer!" He pushed them into the dressing rooms before they could speak.

Sana came out in a light blue kimono with pink cherry blossoms in her hair. (She really didn't mind doing the commercial because Naozumi was there). She looked around and saw Akito, wearing black and red traditional fighting clothes. He was listening as the director was explaining his part of the story. Then, her heart skipped a beat. Naozumi was sitting, waiting on the stage. His costume was white with green trim. She felt her insides melt as he noticed her watching. He smiled sweetly and invited her over by touching the stage next to him.

Akito was hardly listening as the guy who called himself director actually "directed" him on what to do. "…don't forget to jump-kick at this point, now…" He had been saying. Akito simply nodded. He would know what to do. He'd frighten the pretty-boy, but he wouldn't hurt him… very much. Then something blue caught his eye. A girl walked by in a long kimono with flowers in her hair. She was very beautiful. At first, he didn't recognize her. But, her eyes betrayed her. The playful tease that was Sana Kurata would never get past him, no matter how good an actor she was. But, she wasn't paying attention to anything but one spot. Following her eyes, he saw she was looking at the pansy of a boy. He felt his jealous meters go off scale, but he tried to deny himself. 'No way, man. She's got her own life. Oh, who am I kidding? The blue pansy's gonna pay!'

The three took center stage. "ONE! TWO! THREE! Action…" The director said.

Then a narrator started. "Two warriors fight for the loyalty of one…," (Sana steps out with the juice in hand), "the winner takes all; the loser, nothing."

Akito and Naozumi began more or less play-fighting. They weren't landing any blows, but not really blocking, either.

He could almost see what the child-star was going to do next. Even though to him it was almost as if the boy was flailing his arms about, Akito knew what he was trying to do. He also knew that with one misstep, Pansy would hit him. Hard. But then he could hit him back, right? 'Neh, I'll let him win. He'll hit me and I'll fall to the ground and he'll take San- No! Sana's mine! No one's taking her from me; not some pimp or pretty boy!' He purposely moved in the way of one of the attacking 'blows' and was hit across the face. It stung, but it didn't hurt. Akito gently fell to the ground and watched as his nemesis walked over to Sana. Without hesitating, he jumped up and went for him. 'I wonder if he'd complain if I clipped his jaw as hard as he hit me.' He pulled out in front of her and tapped Pansy in the chin. The pretty-faced boy fell to the ground. Akito turned and looked at Sana, who bowed and handed him the drink.

"Your prize, sir warrior." She held the can out.

"Huh?" He was about to kiss-

"Drink it." She mouthed.

Akito obeyed and felt the sweet sticky stuff pour down his throat. It was quite disgusting.

"Cut! What happened? What did you do that for?" Asked the director. "You just ruined everything! And look at Naozumi- his face's all bruised-," Someone ushered up to the director and started whispering frantically in his ear. "Who? You mean… and he… REALLY?! Okay, kids! That was great! You all did excellent! Keep up the good work!" He left them standing there, bewildered.

"Why you…" Naozumi threw himself at Akito, tackling him to the floor. He tossed a punch at his face, but the other blocked it easily. Though he sat on Akito's chest, he wasn't able to land a successful punch on him.

'Okay… he'd really complain.' Akito thought. He decided to let the actor get frustrated, then he'd show him what he had, and teach him a lesson. He brought his knee up, which caught Pansy in the small of his back, and he fell forward on Akito's face. He easily pushed the light-bodied boy off of him and switched positions.

"Akito! Naozumi! Stop it! It was just a commercial!" Sana pleaded, not really understanding why they kept fighting.

Akito heard her, but he had to land a punch. He got one on the nose. He then stood up quickly and offered Naozumi up, but not for any good reason. Naozumi slapped it away and touched his bleeding nose.

Sana knelt down and offered him a kerchief. "Are you alright?" She asked.

Akito was furious as he stomped out. The idiot had attacked him but he got the sympathy! It was just a nosebleed after all; he'd get over it. Naozumi was the one at fault. But kind-hearted Sana could never let anyone be hurt if she was around. She had to barge in and fix everyone's problems for them. He remembered when she tried to fix his. In the beginning he thought she was just being annoying. But when she learned he didn't have a mother, she took the role that night and held his head on her lap. "'Akito… I gave birth to you because I loved you…"' His "mother" had said. He was already at the park now. He looked over and saw the bench where that had taken place under the gazebo. He sat down and listened as the birds chirped at the setting sun.

Meanwhile, back at the studio, Sana asked Naozumi, "Why did you do that?"

"I'm not sure. He- he made me upset. When he stood in front of me I felt I'd lost you, Sana." He looked at her with his intent blue gaze. "I couldn't- wouldn't let him come between us. I know it's just a commercial, like you said, but it felt real."

"Naozumi, I-,"

"Shh…" He placed a finger on her lips.

Something just didn't feel quite right. She tried to shake it off, but it wouldn't go away. However, this was what she had wanted, wasn't it? "Naozumi, I'm sorry. I'll see you Saturday."

He was leaning toward her, so when she stood, he thumped to the floor again. Naozumi and the ground were become great accomplices today.

CHAPTER FOUR

Huh? What? Oh... AH! He-hum. I am the latest and greatest thing to behold mankind's eye- er- computers! For I am... HUNGRY!!! It is still I, the Replace-o-Author, but I have discovered the magic behind becoming man! I mean... the greatest computer program- EVER! I have discovered... -deep, scary voice- NAME! My name is Hungry, and I am monitor for this story from now on... FEAR THE HUNGRY! No, wait. CELEBRATE THE HUNGRY! -dances around- I am Hungry, I am Hungry...

(mariame) Someone... please help me find my body! -cries- why, Animedream3r, WHY did you do this to me? Now an evil computer program is plotting to-

Hush, gory head! I am Hungry, and I will kick you out the twenty-seventh story window if you do not!

(mariame) -sad, pathetic voice- help me...