My life didn't change much after that. It consisted of going to school, training, eating and sleeping. Because of training – it was definitely back to Spartan level – I had to quit the Track and Field club. I did accept the position of class representative, I mean… it was difficult to decline if everyone voted for you. So to be the usual well-bred girl façade, I kept on smiling. Wearing a smiling face was sure tiresome.

Soon I was twelve and not much later I had my first menses. Oh the joy… that was the only thing I didn't miss. At that time Auntie explained the whole thing of being a woman. I knew she knew that I already knew about the whole thing, but that didn't stop her for telling me. I guessed she just wanted to tell me about it. I wonder why mothers like to tell their children about the menstruation cycle or perhaps it was all in my head.

I also kept tutoring for those who really needed. Because of my insane schedule I could only tutor during lunch break. At first I had three whole classes, but soon I sent away those who didn't need the extra lessons. I ended up with just ten students.

Other than that I would usually chat with my childhood friends, through a video call, normal call or just texts. I also talked with Valentino once in a while, next to the daily mails we sent each other. He told me his tutor was a demon and he strongly believed the tutor wanted to kill him. I could only respond with an awkward laugh. I was glad he was doing well though. Very soon it was the end of the school year. That summer James and I met up with the others, like we promised. The one thing that I noticed was that I was the shortest of all of them. Sure I was the youngest, but the height difference was at least seven cm. I was around 1.60 metres. It was not fair and I blamed it on my genes. James and I stayed there again for four weeks. Of course they didn't forget the challenge and as soon we were back home they challenged me. I started with Roberto and his fencing was amazing. Very short and sharp thrusts. Not to mention his footing and his speed had increased even more. If it wasn't for Masaru's training I wouldn't have stood a chance.

About Masaru's training, in the end I learnt how to use weapons. Learning the principles of each weapon and using all of them I found out I was the most comfortable with a medium length pole. Not much later my foster parents presented me with a pen. At first I thought it was just a normal pen, but I found out it could transform into a pole. I didn't even want to know where they got it.

Luke's boxing skills increased tremendously. He still had openings but overall he was quite the boxer. Not much later I found out the cause of the openings. Some moves were prohibited to use in tournaments and because of that those openings were no target spots. I had mixed feelings about it, but I let it slide at the moment. After all, he was enjoying his boxing.

Alicia made very good use of her flexibility. She took gymnastic to a new level and she even added some basic self-defence moves to it. Her arm and leg power increased a lot. It was hard to hit or to catch her; it was like cat and mouse. In the end she resigned because her stamina didn't last.

As for James, it seems he was inspired by Auntie and decided to take shooting lessons. Of course, he couldn't challenge me with that, so he used his aikido to challenge me. Apparently Uncle trained him the basics of the art when I was training with Masaru.

The challenges aside, boys didn't forget about soccer either – much to my own misery. So in the four weeks we spend there, we played soccer. Again with zero goals and too soon James and I had to go back.

Back in the States awaited us training from Hell. Rei liked to have a disciple for gun handling and for each shot James missed, she shot him with the Taser. The poor thing, but I didn't have the time to pity him because I was doing my own training of Hell. In order to train my back and abdomen muscles more Master Ivan invented the worst possible method. Tying up my feet on a high bar and underneath me he put a campfire. To fuel it more he used alcohol. So in order not to burn myself I had to swing myself back and forth. It was definitely another level of Hell.

Masaru left when my second year of middle school started. When I thought I finally had some rest, another menu was created. I had to spar with Coach, trying to disable her without getting shot. Another impossible mission. Thinking that I was used to her shots was a big mistake. After all these time she never aimed to shoot me directly, she aimed just to graze me. For the very first time I actually felt a horrendous sensation and my first session was… quite red and painful. If it wasn't for that magical medicine, I would probably have died of blood loss. Later I learnt the new sensation was called 'killing intent'. Soon two not so pleasant years went by.

We graduated middle school and had our third meeting. At that moment I was 14, soon 15, and all of us improved a lot. Luke won championships after championships. Roberto went to the nationals in soccer and didn't lose in fencing either. Alicia also won the championships for gymnastics. James had an almost perfect aim thanks to Auntie and I advanced in many stages of martial arts. I still had problems with my chakra. I figured the throat chakra was half-open because my emotions became more stable, plus my bracelet was glowing a new colour at times. It was usual red, orange, yellow and green, but a soft blue also appeared. As for the glowing, only I could see it. I exclaimed a few more times when it glowed but the others didn't see anything. I also noticed it would only glow when I was determined to do something. I was quite puzzled by this phenomenon.

Soon that summer was over and it was the start of high school. I actually looked forward to it because finally the scientific subjects were a little bit more advanced – but it was still below my standard – and there was going to be a field trip for the classes 10-A to 10-F in November. Location: Paris. Usual one would be quite happy about something like that, right? Well, the thing is, it wasn't a normal trip. It would be a camping trip and it was mandatory. So… In the first week of November a camping trip to Paris with a bunch of rich kids that don't know the basics of cooking and cleaning… Not quite pleasant… And no external staff allowed. God may know why the principal decided to do this.

As the class representative of class 10-A I handled all the paperwork needed for the trip – I got used to it over the years. I also handled the whining about why it was forbidden to take their own staff with them. 'Spoiled brats' was the only thing I could think of. I didn't look down on them – alright, maybe a little – but just to make sure I tested their knowledge and skills in basic cooking, and the results were quite… extraordinary. In a not so positive way. The majority were not able to cook potatoes or pasta properly. Even cracking an egg without having the whole shell in a bowl was a challenge… In other words, we were doomed. Just imagining what kind of dishes they would make gave me headaches. And too soon it was November.

So, that day on November 3rd we met each other at the airport. I handled the checklist and to my amazement everyone had at least two large suitcases with them.

"Hey… Hey… It's just a week…" I muttered inwardly as I checked off the names on the list.

I, myself, had a medium sized suitcase and a backpack with me. It contained the stuff I needed for one week. If I needed extra clothes, or anything else, I could always buy some in Paris. It wasn't just camping by the way, in the morning and afternoon we would visit the famous buildings.

After a good thirty minutes every one of class 10-A was present and we proceeded to the check in. I wasn't surprised that my classmates' luggage exceeded the maximum luggage weight. As for boarding the plane… it seemed they didn't like it, sitting in economy class I mean. I really had to refrain myself for sighing out loud. So after finding my seat I put my backpack in the storage space and sat down in my seat. Probably I let out a sigh because the person next to me commented on it.

"Fancy meeting you here, Sharon. I guess you had your share of basic troubles?"

"Oh, please James. No more… It's just insane... dealing with them I mean." I muttered as I closed my eyes. While I was used in dealing with my rich classmates, it didn't mean it was less tiresome.

"Well, you are one of them." James chuckled.

"I suppose I am… So, are you class rep again this year?"

"Yeah. I wonder why we're going to camp in Paris, though."

"You're not the only one wondering about that…"

I buckled up and waited for the plane to depart. I was honestly glad that my neighbour was James. He knew that I was horrible with planes. I experienced that I couldn't sleep during the flight.

"Hey Sharon…" James whispered.

"Yea?"

"Can I have dinner with you? I'm scared of the food the others will make and I'm not a good cook myself…"

I stared at him. "You do understand that I might have to cook for everyone if they find out…" I deadpanned. Cooking for about 180 students was something I was not looking forward to.

"Then what if we cook together?" He offered.

"We are split in groups, remember."

"Then how about if two groups work together? To be specifically, yours and mine."

"You won't give up unless I say OK, will you?"

"That's right."

Giving him a small glare I let out a sigh. Having a stubborn friend can be annoying at times, but it also makes our friendship interesting. Nonetheless he's a dear friend and he needed help.

"Fine. In exchange, run with me in the mornings." I sighed.

"You do know it will be still dark, right…?" He replied, a little wary of my proposition.

"Yeah, I know."

The teen grimaced as he was thinking of something.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of the dark?" I said in a teasing tone.

"Of course not." He frowned. "But won't the others make up stories if they notice? I mean… we're in high school now, you know…"

Raising a brow I glanced at him, "…"

"I mean, it's suspicious, you know… a boy and a girl going to who knows where and then coming back with red faces and sweating…"

My eyes widened at his words, but I frowned soon enough.

"James Collins. Just what the hell are you imagining…?" I said sternly. "No, don't answer. I don't even want to know."

"Come on, Sharon! I'm not a pervert! But you know… we are at an age where we do things…" He retorted to defend himself.

Seeing him in a slight panic I couldn't help to smirk, "Don't worry about being one. You're just a healthy male teen like any other thinking about these kind of things. No need to be ashamed of it, but just one thing. We don't do those things. At least not with each other."

"I didn't mean it like that! Of course we won't do those things, I mean we're friends. Ah… how did it end up like this!"

The teen had his forehead on his palm as he sighed out loud.

"You're the one who started this topic, though." I mused in amusement and he sighed once again in frustration, making me laugh out loud. "Anyway," I continued, moving on. "Are you going to run with me or not?"

"Yeah, sure…"

"Then our groups will join for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast starts at eight, so how about running at six-thirty? That way we still have the time do refresh ourselves and do our jobs as class reps."

"You're sure an early bird… But alright."

"You could say I'm used to it."

"With your crazy training? I can imagine."

Then the captain's voice came through the intercom, announcing the take off.

About eleven hours later we were in Paris, around 9AM local time. Like always I wasn't able to sleep. So the first thing I did, was buying a cup of coffee, with sugar and cream. I never liked black coffee, it was too sharp. After buying my coffee I went to retrieve my luggage and exited the space. I looked for the other class representatives and the teachers. After all class reps were assembled, the teachers told us what to do. After the quick meeting we went to do our jobs. After checking up on the students we went to the touring busses. The day started off at the Louvre and ended at the camp just outside Paris. Well… it wasn't much of a camp, it was more a bungalow park in the middle of nature. There was even an indoor pool.

"Which part of this is camping?" I deadpanned to no one in particular.

"The cooking part." A girl named Naomi said.

She was part of my group. Each group consisted of six to eight students, my group consisted of three girls – me included – and three boys.

"And how is that camping?" I replied.

"Everything." She said.

"I see…" and I let out a sigh.

All the groups went to their assigned bungalow. After putting down our stuff in the living we checked out the rooms. There were two bedrooms with each 2 bunk beds and a shared closet, two bathrooms and the living with the kitchen. It had a TV, computer, couches, dining table and more. Overall it was quite spacious.

"As expected of a rich private school… I shouldn't have thought about real camping…"

"Hey, Sharon! Let's cook!" a voice called out.

It came from the outside. It took me a moment before I remembered the promise with James. I actually forgot about it…

"Ah right!" I called out to the people in my group. "Guys, we're going to cook with James's group of the B class. The more the merrier, right?"

Without waiting for a reply I opened the door. There I saw James and his group; consisting of four guys and three girls. Soon everyone was chatting with each other and I went to the kitchen checking out the fridge. Even the fridge was filled with fresh ingredients.

"You gotta be kidding…" I muttered to myself. "It's like a hotel, except you have to cook for yourself… This ain't camping anymore…"

"Well, did you expect a tent and a campfire?" James asked from behind me.

"Well… that's the usual conception of camping."

"Hey Sharon! Are you going to cook?" One of the boys asked me. It was Oliver. He was also in my group.

I closed the fridge and turned around. "We take turns in cooking." I called out. "The same as for doing the dishes."

"Ah, come on! We can't cook!" another boy said. His name was Ethan, James's group.

"And you assume I can?" I asked.

"Well, yeah." Ethan replied. "James told us you were great at cooking."

I stared at my friend. "Thanks for informing them…" I said sarcastically.

"A…ha…ha… You're welcome…?"

Turning back to the students I put my hands on my hips. "We still take turns in cooking. If you want I can supervise the cooking and give advice if needed."

"So it will be just like your tutoring sessions?" Naomi asked.

"Yes, kind of."

"Then there's nothing to worry! Your tutoring sessions are amazing!" She called out estatically.

I sighed inwardly. Using formulas in math is not the same as handling a knife. Since my new life I have been sighing a lot, it became more or less my second breathing.

"How about this schedule?" Denise, another girl of my group said. "Tomorrow's cooks are today's dishwashers."

"Sounds reasonable enough." Paul said. He was in James's group.

"Then how about three groups of three and one of four?" Miranda said, also James's group.

They started to plan. That's one thing they're good at, managing and planning. Considering they might take over their parents' business or create their own, it's a good skill. After ten minutes the schedule was done and it looked like this:

Team 1: Sharon, James, Linda

Team 2: Naomi, Paul, Kevin

Team 3: Denise, Robert, Ethan

Team 4: Evelyn, Miranda, Oliver, Tom

If the names Linda and Evelyn sounds familiar, then congratulations for having a good memory. They are the same Linda and Evelyn as in primary and middle school. Both of them were in James's group.

Thus twenty minutes later James, Linda and I started cooking. I decided to make something simple like rice with curry. James took the ingredients and started to wash them, I did the rice and Linda started to cut the meat. Linda changed over the years. She didn't have her attitude anymore. I heard she was humiliated by some other rich girl.

After putting the pan with rice on medium flame I helped Linda with the meat and other ingredients. I noticed she was good in handling the knife.

"If you're wondering why, I'm used to cooking." Linda stated monotonely.

I stopped cutting the carrots and looked at her. "Well, that came out of nowhere." I replied before I resumed the cutting.

"You're not going to ask?" She asked.

"Ask about what? The cooking?"

"Yes…"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Well… In my opinion it's normal to be able to cook simple dishes at an age of fifteen or sixteen. I'll rather put my question marks if one's not able to cook. Besides I'm not going to stick my nose in someone else's business, but if you want to share; I'll listen."

There was a little silence between us. The only sound hearable were the cutting and the chatting of our groups. James, too, was cutting some vegetables for the salad. He somehow managed to create some ornament by cutting the cucumber not fully through. I only gave him advice how on how to hold the knife while cutting. Like Albert Einstein said 'The only source of knowledge is experience'. Cooking is also knowledge.

When I started on the potatoes for the curry, Linda started to talk.

"Do you remember the rumour about me being humiliated in middle school?" She said in a soft voice.

"I heard about it." I replied after looking up.

James also started to peel the potatoes. He kept his mouth shut. It was probably a first that Linda started a conversation about a touchy subject.

"It wasn't humiliation. That bitch destroyed our family." She hissed venomously.

Hearing her tone I stopped peeling. "Destroyed?"

"Yeah, Star Winsolf. That bitch sued me for no reason and we lost the case. Because of that my father lost his company."

"Sue you…? What for?"

"I threw some grape juice on her because she annoyed the hell out of me."

"You threw grape juice on her and she sued you…?" I repeated, trying not to gape at her. "Unbelievable…"

"Yeah, the bitch."

I wanted to say it was partly her fault, but commenting on it would not be a good idea at that moment.

"So, how are you and your family doing now?" I asked her as I resumed the peeling.

"We manage. It's a lot different than before. We don't have the money to hire staff anymore, so we have to do the cooking and cleaning ourselves. It was hard at first, but now I'm used to it. I never thought being a commoner was this hard. I bet you have staff doing all of this for you."

"No, I don't have any staff except for my guards." I replied dryly.

"What do you mean? I thought your father has some huge company in Italy."

"He does, but I live with my aunt and uncle. Even though they are part of the company, we don't have any staff. It's mostly my aunt and I doing the housework. The guards are with us just to ensure my safety. So in overall I live quite like a commoner."

"But what about your attitude? I mean, you're like a noble's daughter. Well-mannered, perfect posture, all smiles."

"Aren't all children from rich families like that? Being polite and well-mannered and such."

James chuckled. "You really thought that?" he said.

"Yeah… Do… I have the wrong image?" I questioned as I looked at the two.

Both Linda and James looked at each other and they started to laugh.

"Well, yeah… Kind of…" Linda giggled.

"Oh come on! After all these years I had the wrong impression!?" I exclaimed, a little baffled by my misconception.

The others looked at me from the living. The living had a direct view of the kitchen. I gestured everything was alright. They resumed with their own activities.

"Well, everybody liked you because you were like the ideal noble girl. Even I was a bit envious, but after hearing this you were probably acting." Linda said amusingly.

"Well, excuse me for not being brought up as a nobleman's daughter." I said a bit embarrassed. "How should I have known it wasn't like that?"

"So even the perfect class rep has her troubles in the high-class society." She continued.

"Oh. Shoo you, Linda." I pouted a bit.

James laughed, "Seems the two of you are getting along quite well."

"Are we?" we both asked at the same time. Looking at each other we both started to laugh.

"Alright, maybe we can get along. Besides, isn't this our very first real conversation?" I laughed.

"I think it is…" Linda said. "By the way, shall I cut those potatoes too?"

"Sure."

"Say Linda, this might be a personal question, but how are you able to continue school here?" James asked.

"Well… My parents are good friends with the principal so I could stay here at a discount. I also received a scholarship." She answered.

"That's good for you." James said.

We continued peeling and cutting. After a few more minutes we were done and I started to cook the meat. The smell filled the living and soon there was an uproar for food. The rice started to cook so I put it on low flame. After cooking the curry we took out the plates and cutlery. Just before we left the kitchen Linda said something to us.

"Please do not tell anyone else about this. No one knows."

James and I looked at each other. James spoke up, "We as class representatives have the duty to listen to our students and keep it for ourselves if it's personal. Unless it could endanger the student we have the right to consult it with the teacher."

"And just like that this case is closed, at least for now." I added.

"Thanks, you two. Anyway let's serve dinner." Linda said.

Dinner was a big success and soon it was time to go to bed, at least for me. I was tired and the day after I would go running with James at 6:30. And thus our first day in Paris ended.

The next morning I woke up at six. It was still dark, I heard my female roommates breathing slowly but steadily. Quietly I got up and took my training gear. I went to the bathroom. I enjoyed the silence greatly, the silence of sleeping people. I did the usual thing and after redressing I put my pyjamas back on my bed, making sure not waking up the girls. Then I went to the kitchen to grab two apples. I ate one, the other one was for later. I went outside to meet up my jogging partner.

I remember the fresh morning air. It was a bit chilled, but it was still warmer than in Salt Lake City. I missed the soft autumns and winters. I started to warm up and jogged to the building James and his group were staying.

"I believe it was number 28…" I mumbled to myself.

Not much later I suddenly sensed James. It was 200 metres ahead of me.

"That guy… he was still asleep…" I sighed as I smiled slightly. James was never a morning person.

Just a little side note. When one is asleep their energy drops drastically. Because I filtered all lower levels of energy I cannot sense them. If there is a sudden energy appearance within my radius, it mostly means the person woke up. It's a different story if it's on the borderline of my radius.

Soon I arrived at his lodge and I waited while I jogged in place. Five minutes later he ran out the lodge. He ran past me, going to the direction of my lodge.

"Even if you go to the lodge, you won't find me there…" I called after him.

James stopped immediately and turned around in surprise. His perplexed expression was very amusing to see.

"S-S-Sharon! How long have you been waiting?" He stammered.

"Five minutes or so. Good morning to you too, James."

"Yeah… Good morning..."

"Did you eat something yet?"

"No… I woke up late... the guys wouldn't let me sleep."

"Hm… that's to be expected. By the way, here. You can have it."

I tossed him the apple and he caught it easily.

"Thanks. What about you?"

"I already had one. Anyway, let's go. I have to be ready when they start making breakfast. I don't want to see the whole kitchen on fire."

"Right."

We jogged in silence. I enjoyed the scenery, I don't know about James though. We met some other joggers and we greeted them with a small bonjour. Suddenly I sensed Alfonso at a distance of one kilometres, just at the border of my newly gained radius. It was behind me then it disappeared.

"Don't tell me…"

"James, let's slow down a bit." I said as I lowered my jogging speed.

"Sure, but why? Don't tell me you're getting tired…" James said, quirking a brow.

"I sensed Alfonso for a second. It seems he's just out of my reach. I want to confirm it."

"Alfonso? The same Alfonso that guards you?"

"Yeah…"

"Alright… but you know Sharon, I still don't get the whole sensing stuff. It doesn't make sense."

"Well, in one aspect it doesn't make sense. Even I don't understand it fully. Just say it's a sixth sense or something."

We slowed down our pace little by little and I sensed Alfonso again. It seemed he didn't notice the change of pace.

"He's here…" I muttered with a frown.

"Really?"

"Yeah…"

Taking out my phone of my jogging vest, I texted Alfonso.

'Hey, Al. Fancy meeting you here. Didn't expect you here, especially at a distance of 1km. Tell me how you are. xo S.'

Not much later my phone rang. It was Alfonso.

"Good morning, Al." I said after accepting the call.

"Good morning, Miss Sharon. I apologise for my behaviour." He replied.

"It's alright. I bet Uncle asked you to do it."

"How did you know, Miss?"

"He is predictable you know… especially after I hit puberty."

"Sir Ivan is just concerned about you, Miss. He doesn't want any suspicious males to approach you."

"Well, at the moment you're one of those suspicious males, Al."

"Ah…"

"Anyway, you're allowed to keep watch over me. You're here anyway, but take enough breaks. I don't want you to fall ill on my watch. It's just you, right?"

"That's correct, Miss Sharon."

"Alright, then enjoy Paris as much as you can. If there's trouble I'll contact you ASAP."

"Understood, Miss Sharon. Then goodbye."

"Bye."

After ending the conversation I put my phone back in my pocket.

"Uncle Ivan is sure protective over you." James commented.

"I know… It's getting annoying though." I sighed. "I appreciate the thought, but lately he's sticking his nose too much in my business. Even though I don't really have business beside training and school."

"Besides, you can take care of suspicious men. I mean as far as I can tell you're on par with Alfonso and K."

"Just looking at strength and technique I'm better than both of them, but they have more experience to react to sudden movements. I lack that, so it compensates each other."

"But it's still amazing, you know."

"You're amazing too. Keeping up with Auntie's and even Uncle's training."

"Well… what fear can do to a person…"

"Heh, true…"

Our jog ended after a little hour. I went back to my lodge to take a shower and change in my casual clothes. The first cooks for breakfast were already in the kitchen – for breakfast it was just us, dinner was including James and co. – taking out the butter, cheese, marmalade and such from the fridge. I put a few baguettes in the oven and started to fry eggs. After a small 20 minutes breakfast was ready. After cleaning up we readied ourselves for the day. Soon another day of touring started.

Day after day passed – with troubles in the kitchen – and soon it was Friday. The touring was done and the last three days were free time. James's group and mine got along with each other quite well. We decided to go to the department store together.

While the others were talking happily I walked behind them. I still liked silence over talking. Suddenly Ethan turned around and spoke to me.

"Sharon, ehm… if you like the idea, maybe we can hang out? Just to two of us?"

I was quite surprised at the sudden request for a date. It was obvious enough, I mean hanging out just the two of us? Definitely a date.

The other boys reacted in a teasing way and the girls were a bit frustrated because he had the nerve to suddenly ask a girl out.

"I mean… you're hanging out with James all the time… Unless the two of you really have a thing…"

"You know, Ethan," I started. "If you're asking for a date, then ask with confidence. No girl likes a half-assed resolve from a guy. Especially if it's about asking the girl out."

Ethan's eyes widened a little. He didn't expect a reply like that. My attitude changed a little after the conversation with Linda and James. You could say I kind of dropped the mask. I was less polite and less well-mannered than usual; I was more like myself. However, I still treated others with respect. It's only fair to treat others like you treat yourself. Everyone gets a chance to prove themselves.

He shook his head and looked at me with more determination, it took me a little off guard. "Go out with me, Sharon." He said firmly.

Smiling a little I ran a hand through my hair, "My intention was to say no, but I think I've changed my mind. I'll give you credits for your resolve." I said.

In the corner of my eyes I saw James holding back his laughter – though I'm still not sure what was funny – and thus I ended up hanging out with Ethan, with the rest of the group sneaking behind us. It was a nice day. We went shopping and window shopping, ate lunch in a small café and revisited some monuments. By the end of the day Ethan was out of money. I offered to pay, but he insisted it was on him. So around 4:30PM we went to a local bank. Who would knew we would become hostages of a bank robbery…

A/N: Dun dun dun... Stopping at this point is kind of nerve wrecking, don't you think? I've written out the robbery itself already and... the next chapter will be a small crossover with Detective Conan ;D I hope you don't mind... :x

Anyway, thank you all for you time reading this!