~A/N~
Sorry I didn't get this uploaded on time, I have no excuses, I just let myself forget.
I own nothing, good thing too.
Chapter 9: Fishy Tales in the School Paper
Natalie's P.O.V.
I joined the Swimming Club as soon as I separated from Nathan and the others. It wasn't that I thought I didn't need them, or appreciate the concern, it was just that I missed swimming, and I looked good in my bikini. My family can be stubborn sometimes and I am no exception. I joined up and was surprised to find Tsukune and Moka seemingly joining as well. The way Nathan talked, made it seem like trouble followed them around like a puppy, and that they would be in the Newspaper Club. Ichinose Tamao, the Captain of the Swimming Club, Seemed to be trying to drag Tsukune, and any other male in the area, into the Swimming Club. She did so by pointing out all the beautiful girls who were already members, and wearing rather skimpy bikinis, I flushed slightly realizing I fit in perfectly with what she was saying, and therefore added one more body to the bait. I was also, smaller, than the other girls and therefore offered a branch to boys she may not have convinced otherwise. It only took ten minutes, in that time, most of the men around the pool, were now in the pool, including Tsukune. Again I fit in perfectly with my new club, as we were all flirting shamelessly with the nearest male. I kept my eye on Tsukune, knowing that, by how Nathan behaved, he was the Main character of the story proper, and would likely be in the middle when things inevitably went south. My suspicion was proven when I overheard a small cluster nearby talking about the rumor that Moka is a Vampire, and that Vampires are powerless in water, and it actually hurts them. Tamao splashed Moka at that point and Moka ran off.
I tried to be the one to swim with Tsukune, knowing that he needed cheering up at this point, but I was blocked by a couple overeager guys, and some of my new club mates. I eventually managed to free myself from the group and just swim alone, Tsukune being distracted by Tamao, and shortly after I swam my fourth lap, Moka returned and all hell broke loose. As it turned out, Tamao and every other girl in the Swimming Club, was a Mermaid, myself the only exception, and they were currently chowing down on the guys they convinced to join. I quickly made my way to get Tsukune out of the water but saw Moka first. Moka had leaped into the air over the pool, diving towards the middle where Tsukune was. I dove underwater and propelled myself out of the water using the training I had received from the Tendo Dojo. I erupted from the water directly beneath Moka, my wings exploding from my back as I caught her. I set her down at the poolside just as Kurumu ran up.
"Don't let her try that again." I ordered Kurumu, who nodded and I turned back to the pool. As I slowly rose into the air above Tsukune, who was thankfully still whole, I locked eyes with Tamao. "Release Tsukune, that one is not yours."
"What is a siren doing in a swim club? And why do you think I will listen to you?" Tamao looked around as the other mermaids swam closer. "You're outnumbered and we already have Tsukune in our clutches. Those wings won't do much good when their wet will they?" I smirked.
"My wings may be useless once I dive in, but my voice will not be. You want to know something interesting? Sound carries better over water than it does over land. A siren who knows how, can be even more deadly underwater than in the air."
"You're bluffing!"
"Are you sure? Want to test your theory?" Tamao went to bite Tsukune and I dived. I barely managed to pluck Tsukune from the water and throw him into the air, where I hoped Kurumu would catch him, before I was grabbed and dragged to the bottom of the pool. I screamed. Instantly my silent cry parted the water and the mermaids were left unconscious at my feet. I maintained my humming which kept the water from crashing down on me, as I slowly made my way to the side of the pool, and the ladder that allowed easy exiting. I ceased my humming when my feet were planted soundly on the dry ground. "Well that was fun." I said trying to stretch my wings again, finding them too heavy from the water. "Guess I'm earthbound till these dry."
"That was amazing!" Tsukune cheered as I turned to fully face the group. I noticed Mason was hurriedly writing in a small notebook and shrugged my shoulders.
"If you say so." I looked over my shoulder at the pool and sighed. "Guess club activities are done for the day, if they let me stay. Guess I'll check out a second club for the time being. Maybe part-time with one, or just join it if they kick me out here."
"You could all join Shiki and me in the Newspaper Club." Mason spoke up as he stepped over to us putting the notebook away. "We could use more members, and it promises to be an interesting experience."
"I'm in!" Kurumu practically tackled Mason with her enthusiasm. "Nishimaru joined the Karate Club last year and I'm not really in to that, so he suggested I join a club with one of you guys." Mason nodded and turned to the rest of us.
"If I can part-time it then I'm in." I said with another shrug of my shoulders. "I can draw some Funnies or something for it, that way I'm not needed for actual stories, and can miss some meetings without causing repercussions."
"It could be fun for us all to be in the same club…." Moka added, Tsukune looked at her. Their eyes met and they were lost to us for several minutes before he nodded and Moka cheered. "Yay! So Ishiku, lead the way!"
Mason told us where to go, and said he had to finish getting quotes for the story that happened at the pool. So Moka, Tsukune, Kurumu, and I went to class 103, Tsukune and Moka's classroom was also the Newspaper Club's headquarters since Nekonome is the advisor. Ethan was the only student there, the only other person being Nekonome Sensei. Ethan seemed to have warned them we were coming and the club president ran off to fetch something to greet us. After a very excited welcome from Nekonome, the door slid open and Ginei came in. he was a second year and wore a red headband in addition to the school uniform. He also carried three bouquets of roses, one for Moka, Kurumu, and myself.
"I'm the Club President Morioka Ginei. Pleased to meet ya. Shiki told me about you, what lovely new club members. Such lovely red roses go splendidly with ladies such as yourselves."
'This should be fun.' I thought to myself as we began discussing what we would be doing. In the club. Once his initial welcome wore off and he got serious about the club, Ginei became a true blue newshound.
"Ishiku is already investigating a story, Shiki, I found one I want you to look into as well." He handed Ethan a piece of paper. "Get to it. The rest of us will be hanging posters for the rest of the day. Got it?" Ethan headed out without a backwards glance, and I stepped up to Ginei.
"Actually I would like to talk to you about my involvement in the club." I could swear his ears actually perked up at that. "I will most likely only be able to contribute in a part-time capacity, unless the main club I'm trying to get into refuses me. So I thought I'd supply some Funnies and maybe help write some of the smaller ads that would be present in a regular paper." Ginei seemed to consider this in great detail for a moment. "Very well, while we hang posters, I want you to draft a basic story idea for me to approve. I want two serializations and three gag comics. Understood?" I nodded and returned to the seat I had taken before. Getting out the supplies I would need I set to work on them. Finishing what was requested just before the Ginei returned alone. "Seems, Tsukune was peeping on Moka and got caught. Moka and Kurumu both ran off upset, so club activities are over for the day. I'm going to wait around here for the other two to get back then I will also be heading out." I packed my things and stood up, picking up the storyboards I had finished, and walked up to the teachers desk Ginei had borrowed. I set the storyboards down in front of him.
"Here is what you asked for, as well as some preliminary character designs. Shiki, or Ishiku can deliver your notes to me tomorrow. I'll also send word with them if I can't make it to the next meeting. See you soon." I winked at him and left the room. I could hear him mumbling to himself, and I heard my adopted name, I giggled and went back to my dorm. "Definitely going to make time to be around this club from time to time."