Hi all, well I just wanted to let everyone know that no, I haven't forgot about Kagura, in fact I pretty had this chapter already planned, oh and get ready for the return of somebody from another Azu-Fic, okay with that said…….
Azumanga Daioh is not mine, it belongs to Kiyohiko Azuma
Goo-Goo
By Anime Rebirth
Part 13: Kagura's Confusion
Note: This chapter takes place on the Day the Azu-group left for Paris….
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Kagura stretched her arms in the air as she approached Yukari-Sensei's class. For some reason, she couldn't sleep well last night. "Probably it was Dad's dinner." she thought.
As she entered the classroom, she looked around, there were some empty seats. Sure it was normal for some seats to be empty before class started, but what bothered her was that some of those empty seats….. Were normally occupied by her friends, well except for Tomo who always managed to be late almost everyday.
The athletic girl took her seat and continue to look around. "Maybe there's something going around." she thought.
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Class had started and not surprisingly Yukari still hadn't shown up. Kagura then notice that neither had any of her friends, in fact, she also noticed that Rachel, Chihiro, and even Ohyama were not there.
"Way bizzaro." she thought again. Then something dawned on her. "Maybe they're still in grief over Kaorin." She thought. At that moment the door slid open and Yukari came storming into the room, she appeared to be annoyed at something.
"DAMN THOSE COLLEGE KIDS, SNACTHING UP ALL THE COPIES OF DEVIL MAY CRY 4!!!!!" She slammed her books to the floor as the class sweat dropped. "Fine, let's get this class over with." She said.
It was then that Yukari noticed all the empty seats. "Hmmm, it seems that some of the class didn't make it today." she said.
"Don't you find that a little strange Yukari-Sensei?" Kagura asked.
"No, to be honest, I'm happy that I don't have to put up with Tomo's shit today." Yukari responded as she gave a wide grin.
The rest of the class just looked at her as they sweat dropped….. All except Kagura who started to show concern.
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It was lunchtime, but instead of going to the lunch area to eat, Kagura went to the teacher's offices to look for Minamo. "Um Kurosawa-Sensei?" she asked.
Minamo looked up from some papers she was reading to greet her star swimmer. "Oh Kagura, what can I do for you?" she asked as she smiled.
"Well, um, didn't you notice that Chiyo and the others didn't come to school today?" Kagura asked.
"Yes I did." Minamo answered in a serious tone. "I hope they are okay, they did seem to take Kaorin's loss pretty hard."
Kagura slowly sat down in a nearby chair. "Well I know missing school is not right, but I can't help but feel left out." she responded. "We're always together, we've been though a lot together, I don't understand why they didn't tell me about their plans."
Minamo could tell that Kagura felt hurt. "Kagura, I know your friends do care for you, maybe they have their reasons."
"I don't know, lately I've also noticed that Rachel, Chihiro, and Ohyama have been hanging out with them… maybe I've been replaced." Kagura said.
"No Kagura, don't think like that." Minamo pleaded. "Tell you what, after school, we'll go to Chiyo's house, together, and we'll see what is going on, okay?" she asked as she closed her eyes and smiled.
"Arigato, Kurosawa-Sensei." Kagura responded as she smiled back.
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The rest of the day went slow for Kagura, each class did she shared with at least one of her friends made her feel strange when she saw the empty seat.
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The school day had finally ended and Kagura rushed to the Teacher's offices to meet up with Minamo. Minamo was on the phone as a look of concern was shown on her face.
Kagura's stomach sank, she knew something was up. Minamo saw Kagura and motioned her to take a seat.
Minamo continued to talk on the phone. "No Mrs. Kasuga, I have no idea where Ayumu is…yes we are all very concerned, yes…..I will let you know if I find out anything….good day." and with that she hung up the phone.
She turned to face Kagura, who had a concerned look on her face. "Kurosawa-Sensei?" she asked.
Minamo just sighed. "I've been receiving calls like that all day." the PE teacher told her. "It seems that Chiyo and the others went somewhere, because each parent that called told me that each of their suitcases was missing, as well as some clothes and belongings."
"They….ran away from home?" Kagura asked as she scratched her head.
"I know it may sound strange, but at the moment that's what it looks like." Minamo responded.
"And they left me out." Kagura thought. She knew what they did was wrong, but she still felt betrayed that they would leave her out of something like this.
"I think I'll go home now." Kagura said as she turned around.
"Kagura…" Minamo said softly.
"Thank you for everything Kurosawa-Sensei." Kagura responded as she left.
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That evening, Kagura was in her room. She was lying on her bed just staring at the ceiling. She remember the time when Sakaki was on her way to Chiyo's house and told her she wanted to be alone with her.
She also remembered the time at Kaorin's Memorial Service when she had to sit behind her friends, because there was no more seats available in the row.
"Maybe they got sick of me." She thought.
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A few days passed. Kagura just sat on her desk with her head laying on the table. Everyone in class noticed her, but they didn't show any concern for her as they continued to talk away with their gossip about what happened to her friends.
It was then that the door slid opened and Yukari once again stormed into the classroom. "DAMN HOW DO THEY MANAGE TO SELL OUT OF THAT GAME SO FAST!!!!!" She said as she slammed her books to the floor… (yes floor) "YOU, PICK THEM UP!!!!!" she yelled as she pointed to a boy sitting in the front.
As the boy nervously went up front to pick up her books Yukari just stared at the class. "Well, it seems that we have the same number of absentees again." she sighed. "In any case, we have a new student joining us today who is transferring from the Juban district……" she took out a card as a boy walked in. "Let's his name is….Yipa….Yaya…..?"
Kagura's eyes grew wide. "YUKO?!!!!!!!!" The entire class turned and stared at her. Which cause Kagura to blush in embarrassment.
Yuko saw Kagura and smiled. "Hey Kags." He said. "So you're going to this school huh?" he asked.
Kagura couldn't take her eyes off him, it was the first time he saw Yuko since they graduated Junior High. "Y…yeah." she responded.
"Well if it's okay with you two, I'd like to get this class started." Yukari grumbled.
Yuko took the empty seat next to Kagura. After that Yukari went straight to sleep.
"Is she always like that?" Yuko asked.
"You'll get used to her." Kagura responded.
"I see……" Yuko answered. "So Kags, how have you been doing?" he asked.
Kagura just kept staring into his eyes. "Huh?…. Oh I've been doing okay, I'm on the swim team you know."
"That doesn't surprise me." Yuko responded as he laughed.
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Later that Day Yuko and Kagura went to the roof to have their lunches, Kagura could feel her heart beat as he sat next to her.
"So have you made any friends?" Yuko asked.
Kagura just sighed. "I don't have any friends."
Yuko seemed confused. "You mean to tell me you're still a loner?" he asked.
Kagura just stared at him. "Well I thought I had friends, until they turned their backs on me." she responded.
Yuko could see that Kagura seemed to began to look depressed. "Look, forget about them, I'm sure you'll be able to make better friends in no time." he assured her.
"So they can turn their backs on me as well, no thanks, I was fine before I knew them, and I'll be fine now." Kagura responded
"Kags, if you want…..I'll be your friend." he told her.
Kagura just blushed as she just looked at him. Deep down, she wished they could be so much more, but she knew that he would never fall for her.
So, have you heard from…..Rei?" Kagura asked.
Yuko just looked at the floor and frowned. "She broke up with me."
Kagura just stared at him. "Really?" she said in a voice that almost showed a little joy. "What happened?"
"I don't know." Yuko started. "She just dumped me for no reason, I tried to talk to her to see what I did to make her mad, but she just plain out refuses to acknowledge my existence."
Kagura wanted to tell him the truth, of how deep down she always had a crush on him. and Rei just flirted with him just to get on her nerves. But no, she wouldn't stoop down to his level.
"I'm sorry Yuko." Kagura responded.
"It's okay. But it still hurts me though." Yuko said. "So, do you have any plans after school?"
"Actually, I have Swim practice." Kagura responded.
"Well how about after practice then." Yuko asked.
"Well no not really." Kagura responded.
"Well how about we go over to the arcade, I'll bet I could still beat you in that racing game." Yuko teased.
"Hey, I've had a lot of practice since then, so don't you cry if I beat you." Kagura teased back.
"Okay I'll meet you there at…. When does practice end?" Yuko asked.
"Around 7:30." Kagura answered.
"Okay I'll meet you at the Crown Arcade near my house at 8:30." Yuko responded.
"It's a date." Kagura said and then blushed when she realized what she said.
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"KAGURA, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!!!!!" Minamo answered as she saw that Kagura didn't seem to be concentrating as she swam.
Kagura got out of the pool as Minamo walked up to her. "Kagura, are you still letting about what your friends did?" she asked.
"Former friends." Kagura responded. "And no, that's not what's bothering me at all."
"Then what is?" Minamo asked.
"It's…well it's kinda complicated." Kagura answered. "Um, Kurosawa-Sensei, I was wondering if I could leave practice early."
"Are you feeling okay." Minamo asked with a concerned look.
"No, everything is just perfect." Kagura answered as she blushed.
Minamo took a close look at Kagura's eyes. "I know that look." Minamo said as she smiled. "Well you'd better get going, you can't keep him waiting." Minamo responded as she winked.
Kagura blushed even more, she was embarrassed that she gave her secret away without even having to say one word. "A….arigato." Kagura answered as she ran towards the girls locker room.
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Kagura opened her locker, she noticed a picture she had placed there, it was the time when her and her 'friends' were at Osaka's house for the Christmas get together. She slowly took the picture and stared at it. Tears started to come out of her eyes. She started to think about everything they had been through together….
FLASHBACK: AZUMANGA CHRISTMAS TALES: KAGURA'S TALE……
"Wait I do have the money to pay for it, I have it in my pocket but you see, I can't get out of this catsuit and..." Kaorin kept pleading as the cashier just kept staring at her.
Suddenly the front door opened in came Kagura. She was all battered and bruised. "Oh hi Kaorin." she spit out a tooth. "I got your present...hope you like it." Kaorin just stared at her. "What the hell happened to you?"
Kagura just sighed. "It's a long story." Kagura stared at Kaorin. "So what's with the catsuit?" she asked.
"It's a long story as well." Kaorin said as she sighed.
Kagura turned to the cashier. "Where do you keep the iodine and bandages?"
"Aisle 9." he answered.
Kaorin continued to plead with the cashier. "Please I promise I will pay you later tonight when I get this catsuit off." The cashier just shook his head. "I'm sorry but I just can't." Kagura walked up with some iodine and bandages. "I'll pay for it Kaorin, you can pay be back later."
Kaorin just stared at her. "A.arigato Miss Kagura." she bowed.
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FLASHBACK: AZUMANGA CHRISTMAS TALES OSAKA'S TALE…….
Kagura walked up to Osaka. "Oi, Osaka I almost forgot." She took out a small box.
Osaka's eyes lit up. "For me?" she took the box. "But I said I wasn't participating in the Secret Santa."
"Hey can't I get a friend a present." Kagura smiled. Osaka opened her present. It was a small keychain that said 'Ayumu'.
Osaka's eyes widened. "You remember my name?"
Kagura just smiled. "I never really forgot it. Chiyo-chan told me your real name a while back, but I guess I got used to calling you Osaka."
Osaka just kept staring at the keychain. "So you want me to start calling you Ayumu-chan?" Kagura asked.
Osaka just shook her head. "No, I want you to keep calling me Osaka."
Kagura was confused. "Why?"
Osaka just stared at her and smiled. "Because that's what all of my friends call me."
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FLASHBACK: AZUMANGA CHRISTMAS TALES: YUKARI AND MINAMO'S TALE: THE ONE WHERE THE AZU-GIRLS DEFEND YUKARI'S HONOR……
"Hello Kurosawa Clan...The name's Kagura, on drums...we have Sakaki, on bass...Yomi, on guitar...Tomo, on keyboards...Kaorin, the backup singers...Chiyo, Osaka, and Chihiro, and now we dedicate this number to the number one teacher in the world...THE SUPER COOL YUKARI-SENSEI!!!!" (They started to sing Run Run Rudolph)
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FLASHBACK: GOO-GOO CHAPTER 10.……
"Well what would happen if they do ever deport us?" Tomo asked.
The three bonkuras expected her to say something like. 'It would probably be the best thing to happen to this school.' or 'I guess there'd be a celebration.' but her answer caught them off guard.
"I'd miss you." Kaorin said.
"Huh?" Tomo, Kagura and Osaka said in unison.
"I'd miss you." Kaorin said as she smiled. "You three, in your own little way, seem to bring a sense of happiness to this school. In other words, life would seem boring if you guys were to suddenly go away." Kaorin looked at the clock on the wall. "Oh, I have to go, I'm meeting Rachel and Chihiro at the mall to do a little shopping." And with that, she left.
Tomo, Kagura and Osaka just stared at Kaorin as she left.
"She'd miss us." Osaka said softly.
Tomo stood up. "I guess there is more to her then we thought." she said.
Kagura just stared out the window. "She can be amazing sometimes." she said.
END FLASHBACKS…….
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Kagura just stared at the picture. "How could guys do this to me, after everything we've been though." After that…she tore it up.
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Kagura rushed into the arcade, she just cursed at herself for missing her stop on the bus because of daydreaming about meeting Yuko. She looked around and saw Yuko sitting at the snack bar.
"Glad you could make it." Yuko said as he closed his eyes and smiled.
"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting." Kagura said as she blushed.
"It's okay." Yuko responded. "So, are you ready to get your but kicked Kags." Yuko said.
"Bring it on." Kagura responded.
As they walked over to the game, Kagura took a quick glance at the TV. As she was about to continue she just froze in place. "What the….?"
"Is something wrong Kags." Yuko asked.
Kagura quickly rushed back to the TV.
"In Paris today, police arrested a group of teenagers from Japan who attempted to kidnap the recently adopted LaMue baby…" a reporter said as an image of the Azu-group being placed in a police van was shown.
"Later that evening, they escaped from police custody and are now on the run, Chief Inspector Escargot. Has guaranteed that they will be caught."
A paper was handed over to her. "This just in, it appears that the LaMue baby has disappeared. The police say that it may have been that group of Japanese teenagers."
Kagura just stood there with her mouth wide open.
"How can anyone be so cold." Yuko said.
"But….but….." Kagura stuttered.
"Is something wrong Kags?" Yuko asked.
"Those were……my……friends?" Kagura said as Yuko gave a shocked look.
And there you have it, what will Kagura do now that she know her friends are fugitives in Paris, stay tuned to find out. Until then, take care.
Quick note: Those of you who read Azumanga Christmas Tales know who Yuko is, if not well as I've said before, you have to read it to learn more hee hee hee…….
'TILL NEXT TIME