Reviews:
Murasaki- well i'm glad you like this story. The trust excersises were kind of a last minute add in so it wasn't really planned in the storyline. Thanks for the pairing votes, its i'll make sure to use them since i have kinda left Wei out of most everything else.
Shuwazi- I'm not seperating them! Dont' have a heart attack! Because you voted (and you were the hundreth review XD) i'm keeping that pairing. It was just a warning! ...has chao seriously never said anything in English? He does speak it, but i was just having fun using google tranlator. Theres not much about the possible defection in this chap if i remember properly... there shouldn't be much in the next chap either but the chapter after the next will be all about Xun's big decision.
Absolute Wings- just so you know, i don't speak spanish at all. I only kno one line: No hablo espanol. The rest if from google translator so don't get mad at me. I just typed it in and wrote the translation here. Sorry if it's really bad. I probably shouldn't be telling you this cuz lizzy is gonna kill me, but there is going to be some friction between Xiao and Xun soon and could probably be considered a fight. I'll probably get thrown in the closet for telling you that much but you've been a loyal reviewer.
I'm-the-Drummer- so the teacher idea is good? Maybe he could be the replacment strategy teacher? Let me kno what you think about that idea. Also, i heard lizzy really likes the fanfic you started. I'm about o go read it after i finally finish this chap.
Gan Li- lol, sorry about that comment but i couldn't help putting it there. Go back and read it again without reading the parenthesis if your that mad. Diao Chan will be in one of the upcoming chapters. A lot of people have voted that she should be partnered with Zhang He... kind of sounds like an odd coupl to me XP
Start Chapter 21: (Warning! Some bad language!)
"Xun?"
Xun looked over his shoulder to see Yu standing in the hallway leading to the dorm rooms.
"Were you awake all night?"
"A-all...?" Xun looked over at the clock. "Oops...yeah..."
"Were you really having so much trouble with studying?"
"N-no, sir."
Xun quickly pulled all his papers into a neat pile and sorted through them a replaced them in their proper places in his backpack but kept out a single sheet of lined paper. He was writing away, practicing for the English essay he'd have to write tomorrow. He didn't notice when Yu looking over his shoulder.
"You spelled indecision wrong." Yu pointed.
Xun cringed and quickly erased the word.
"S-sorry, sir."
Xun was edgy with Yu standing behind him. His hand was shaking and his handwriting looked scrawlier than usual. Yu point out more mistakes and Xun hurried to correct them. After an hour or so Ce came down and both Yu and Ce exited the common room. Xun didn't bother asking but let out a relieved sigh. Next to come down was Meng and Tai.
"Good morning." Tai said.
"Good morning." Xun replied.
"Ditto what he said." Meng thumbed at Tai.
Tai put a log on the dying fire as more students entered. Xun put his papers away in his backpack but was startled when two arms wrapped loosely around his neck.
"Hiya, Xunnie" Xiao giggled.
Xun smiled, putting his hand over Xiao's own.
"Hello."
Xun was quiet that morning. He wasn't avoiding Wu as much but nobody really seemed eager to talk to him about what happened the other day which he was glad for. Xiao was hugging his arm tight and talking excitedly about her parents coming to visit. Xun tried to smile and act like he was intently listening but his mind wandered. She changed topics to the talent show quicker than Xun could follow.
"So are you going to watch the show?" Xiao asked.
"Ah, actually, I'm newly in charge of the electronics. The speakers and lights and such." Xun replied.
"Really?! That sounds so cool!" Xiao exclaimed.
"Well, after school at the rehearsal you can tell me any details you have for the lighting in your dance."
"Cool."
"Wait, pipsqueaks the techie?" Ning asked.
Xun nodded nervously.
"Great! We've got a lot of stuff to talk over with you then, munchkin." Tong said mischievously.
Xun's eyes darted between Ning and Tong.
"You guys are in the talent show?" Xun asked.
"Not just those two!" Shang Xiang cut in.
"You three?"
"Your not leaving us out are you?" Ci called over.
Ci was thumbing at Meng walking next to him.
"Five?" Xun corrected himself.
"Yup. We're a band." Ning grinned.
Xun's eyes were wide.
"R-Really?!" Xun exclaimed.
"You'll see at rehearsal after school, won't you?" Tong laughed.
"Oh...about that... I-I have detention after school..." Xun voice got quieter and quieter.
"...goody-two shoes, half-pint, anklebiter, munchkin, pyro, nerd jr., hat obsessed, prude-"
"Thats enough!" Xun wailed.
"-Xunnie has detention?" Ning finished with a grin.
Xun crossed his arms in a childish manner.
"Yes."
"What for?" Xiao asked.
"I was late to class." Xun replied.
"Seriously?! Which class?!" Tong's jaw was practically hitting the floor.
"Combat."
"Oh, you weren't really late were you?" Ci laughed.
"I don't think so..." Xun shrugged.
They got to the cafeteria and were walking to their seats and Xun was talking to Xiao when he collided with someone. Xun's own and the other students tray spilled all over him. Xun's brushed his wet hair out of his eyes and saw a green panted leg stepping on his hat.
"Oops, my bad." Wei Yan smirked.
Yan turned and Xun picked up his hat, trying to un-squish it.
"You jerk! You should apologize!" Xiao said angrily at Yan's back.
"N-no, it's okay-"
"Wanna say that to my face, b?" Yan looked back.
Xun stood quickly, eyes flashing dangerously.
"Don't say things like that." Xun said in a strong voice.
Yan stepped forward, grabbing Xun by his shirt front.
"Don't order me around, boy." Yan said dangerously.
At this point, the cafeteria was dead silent, watching the goings on.
"I'm not trying to order you, but you should show some respect for your classmates." Xun said calmly.
"You just don't know how to mind your own business do you, brat? Don't be such a burden to everyone else, and don't you dare join Shu, you worthless piece of shit."
Yan's hissed the last part about Shu just loud enough for Xun to here before forcefully shoving Xun back with the last comment. Xun slipped on his tray and fell. He was picking himself up for the second time when he realized Ning and Meng were behind him. Meng helped Xun up but both boy's eyes were trained on Yan who was now back at the Shu table.
"You alright?" Meng asked.
"Y-yeah..." Xun mumbled.
Xun tried to pick off some food remnants and Ning brushed a napkin off Xun's shoulder. Xun put his hat back on his head but he looked overall soggy. He kneeled and began to pick up the spilled food as best as he could.
"You don't need to do that, Xun." Ning said.
"I've already been enough trouble. At least I can help a little bit." Xun mumbled barely audible.
Xiao helped and they threw what they could in the trash cans. Xun left to go change back at the dorm room and declined Xiao's offer to walk him up. He changed quickly and got back downstairs just before breakfast ended. Liang pulled him aside before he got to his table. They were standing just out of sight from the students in a side hallway.
"About what happened with Wei Yan-" Liang started.
"It's my fault." Xun said quietly.
Xun bowed his head apologetically and left with the crowd of students heading to class. After tedious mid-terms Xun was completely exhausted at lunch. He was hungry from not eating breakfast and the lack of sleep from last night was catching up to him. Spotting Ning and Tong bickering down the hall he was about to call out to them when someone bumped his shoulders and the notes in his hands fluttered to the floor. He scrambled to pick them up as students stepped on them in their hurry to get to class.
Someone else knelt to pick up his papers and handed the remaining ones to him in a neat stack. Xun was surprised to see it was Liu Bei, the one of the head of houses' of Shu.
"Th-thank you very much, sir." Xun said gratefully.
"Your very welcome." Liu Bei said politely.
Liu Bei disappeared into one of the classrooms and Xun was deep in thought about the man's kind action. He seemed like such a nice man...
"Heya pipsqueak!"
Xun was pulled off balance by an arm over his shoulder.
"I'm not a pipsqueak!" Xun tried to glare convincingly.
Ning cracked up laughing and Xun sulked to himself. They made it to the cafeteria and Xun managed to keep his food on his tray and got safely to the table much to his relief. He was eating a peanut butter sandwich which was surprisingly good considering how hungry he was.
"Hey, Xun. Do you have the science notes? I think I lost mine." Quan asked after frantically searching through his bag.
"Sure."
Xun pulled out his notes and handed Quan the notes before putting it away. Quan scanned the notes.
"Daaaaang. You write really small." Quan squinted.
"Sorry." Xun replied.
"It's nothing to apologize for. You save trees that way." Quan laughed.
Quan was copying the notes and Xun went back to his food when the P.A. System sparked to life and Zhu Rong's bored voice sounded through.
"Just to satisify a certain annoyingly persistent bast- ehem- boy. I would like to know if maybe there was some random kid who is going to school here yet has no files by the name of...um..."
Zhu Rong probably put her hand over the microphone and was talking in an angrily sarcastic voice to someone who replied.
"Lu Yi? Anyone here by that name? If so, GET THE HELL TO THE OFFICE AND GET THIS ANNOYING BRAT OUT OF HERE."
The cafeteria was quiet. What was going on? They looked around blankly to see if anyone knew what was going on. Only one face among the crowd showed any emotion besides confusion.
Xun's eyes were wide as he stared at the speaker in shock. He looked down quickly at his shaking hands. And his mind raced, who was that?! Who was asking for Lu Yi?! Xun felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at Tai who was looking at him concernedly.
"Xun?" Tai asked.
"N-nothings wrong. Nothing at all." Xun tried to sound convincing but his grin didn't reach his eyes. "Actually, I think I'm going to go get a book from the library."
Xun tried to appear casual as he threw his tray into the trash and left the cafeteria. He walked quickly down the hallways and slowed his pace as he approached the office. He heard raised voices ahead and kept each step silent. Holding his hat in his hand he peeked around the corner.
Talking to Zhu Rong was a boy about Meng's height. He was dressed in a collared white tee and jean's with a black jacket, but his wasn't the most noticeable trait the boy had. Even though it was obvious he was no older than some of the other high school students, his hair was white. Xun would recognize him from a mile away.
"Get lost kid. Your friend ain't here." Zhu Rong glared.
"I believe he is, but under an assumed name. If you would just let me look around-"
"Not a change. Git." Zhu Rong pointed at the door.
The kid's hands rested in his pockets and left. Xun fought his gut feeling to chase after the boy... it was nostalgic to see him. It's been two years...
"You know him?" Ning asked.
Xun yelped, turning to see Tong, Ning, and Meng behind him. His ankle rolled and he fell out from his hiding spot. The boy was turning back from the main doors but Xun dove back into hiding and put a hand over Ning's mouth. The hall was silent for a minute before the sound of footsteps walking outside and the door closing. Xun sighed and removed his hand.
"Who was that?" Tong asked.
Xun's eyes dropped to his feet.
"I dunno." Xun lied.
"You sure acted like you knew him." Meng pointed out.
Xun's fingers fiddled nervously with a loose string in his sleeve.
"I-It was just a c-coincidence." Xun mumbled.
The bell rang for the end of lunch. Xun recalled that he had left his bag back in the cafeteria in his haste. He kept his head down as he walked by the upperclassmen and hurried to get his bag and ran to class.
(Time passes)
Xun was still flustered after school. After the last bell rang, he walked down to Lu Bu's room although his head was in the clouds. His detention was simply to sit staring at the wall...for two hours. Xun despaired mentally about the lost study time and wondered if the others would be able to figure out the tech equipment. Suddenly, the door was slammed open but Xun resisted the urge to turn around. Soft steps stormed into Lu Bu's office and he heard voices talking. He recognized the visitor to be Zhu Rong.
"Get up." Lu Bu ordered.
Xun stood up quickly but remained facing the wall.
"May I turn around, sir?" Xun asked with no sarcasm at all.
"Yes, now hurry up! Rehearsal is ready to go!"
Zhu Rong's voice grew steadily closer and even as he turned she grabbed his forearm and dragged him out of the combat room. Xun trotted at Zhu Rong's heels, as she had yet to release his arm and he didn't want it to be ripped out of the socket.
"It's been quite a bother to find you." Zhu Rong grumbled.
"S-sorry, ma'am."
Xun stumbled into the auditorium and Zhu Rong released his arm. Xun was immediately swarmed by a contestants eager to get their words heard. Everyone wanted special lighting or other effects but Xun couldn't understand what they were all saying at once. Eventually he got them all to sign up on a list and they took turns making their demands.
It was late when he got all of the plans done. It still took another few hours to get to know most of the quirks and shortcuts in the lighting and sounds program. He had permission from Lu Bu himself to be allowed to stay up past curfew. It was three in the morning when Xun finally turned off all the equipment and made his way off to the common room. He'd need to get some studying done first before bed... he still had to memorize his presentation for science class the next day to. He couldn't afford to miss anything.
Vote!!:
What songs should the band sing (and a band name)? They can sing more than one but for reference Shang Xiang is the main singer. Tong and Ning are guitarists, Meng is base guitar, and Ci is drums. Sometimes a guy can sing but it's preferred if you could choose a song with a female singer.