Author's Note:

Arc II - Chp. 9 ; 36 - Stranger Inside

Masazumi sat down in Class 3 - Plum, staring at her knees, that nightmare still lingering in her mind. Makiko was going over the history of something called the Greek gods. Prometheus appealed to her the most, he seemed much like God, except he couldn't create man all by himself, like He can and did. She wondered if God created whatever that demon was in her dreams, or if it was created by something not of Him.

Masazumi sighed heavily, then looked up with dreary eyes. She began to fidgit with the side of her tights on her legs as Makiko walked by holding a book. She smiled lightly at her and rubbed a caressing hand across her hair, and continued forward, speaking about a being called Hades now. Masazumi smiled lightly after feeling Makiko's caring touch, and she looked to the front. Neshinbara's seat was empty.

Masazumi had a feeling he was attacked, or maybe he was just garnering for attention... but if that was the case, why would he get each of them a gift? Was it to make up for his behavior at the club, or did he feel he needed to buy their acceptance, or his solitude? Masazumi closed her eyes. A photo album, huh? Masazumi turned behind her to see Hituro was staring at the seat as well. Nobody else in the room except Makiko seemed really concerned about what was going on. Maybe they too had had just enough of him.

At the beginning of class, Shirojiro came hoping smash Neshinbara's face in for stupid he was being lately, maybe it was for the best he never showed up. Masazumi wanted to tell them what she felt, after seeing the gifts he went out of his way to buy, it seemed to her Neshinbara cared and was sorry, he just didn't know how to express it.

The politician sighed once again and looked to the tree outside. "Sin infects all", huh? Just what did it mean by that? She looked over at Horizon. She seemed normal, but was she? The thought of Horizon turning into that... thing, scared Masazumi. She hated the very image of it. So many things... happening at once... She looked back at Horizon with worry. Why is it she appeared inside that thing, but the scariest thing was her smile. It wasn't menacing, or wierd, nor was it expressing happiness. It was just a calm smile, a pretty smile at that, but just was not normal.

She sighed contently, trying to peice together the present situatio. Should she tell the others about her past two dreams, the ones of Horizon? She gritted her teeth, shaking her head side to side. No... That would be stupid. I don't even understand them... But, usually people don't remember their dreams, so why do I remember them so clearly?

Horizon could be seen inside that mask leaning down on her. "I'm your friend..." Masazumi opened her eyes to see Makiko's face inches from hers. With a yelp, she shot back.

Amagi flipped a loose end of her scarf over her shoulder as she observed them. Kazu simply paid little mind to the outburst by the girl.

"You okay, Masazumi?" Makiko courteously asked her. "You've been distracted the whole class period, is everything alright?"

"Uh..." Masazumi turned to see most of the students' eyes on her, they looked clearly concerned. Even the hard Tsukasa had eyes on worried eyes trained at her. Masazumi could only sigh again. "I'm fine..."

"Hmm..." Makiko straightened back up and walked away. "Judge."

Masazumi looked back down, reentering her thoughts. Neshinbara came to her mind. What all had he done to make us think bad of him anyway? She turned to Futayo, who merely looked back and returned a warm smile. Masazumi gave a smile of her own, then faced the desk. All he's done was peep on Margot, and shout at Tomo. Sure, he took everything a bit too immaturely... but we are all teenagers after all... Now he's only God knows where... Probably all alone... I hate that feeling.

Masazumi sighed once again, unintentionally gaining the class' attention.

"Masazumi." Shirojiro said.

"Heh?" Masazumi looked around. "Oh... I'm sorry."

Shirojiro only looked at her until a knock presented itself on the door. Ichijou was the first to turn his head towards it as Makiko looked up from her book.

"Now who could that be this time?" Makiko walked to the door as Toori spoke up.

"Maybe it is the delivery man. I ordered some fried rice not long ago, I'm starving!"

Tsukasa shot him a look. "In the middle of class!?"

"Hey..." Neito said, crossing her arms. "My King can eat at any time of his convenience, please understand that."

"Ah, dah..." Tsukasa stammered, before one of his closed slightly. The hell? King? Just because he is a king doesn't mean he gets to break the damn rules. "Whatever..." Tsukasa sat down.

"Great, now we're all gonna get hungry." Ayumi complained as she sat back. "Hey, Genji, throw me a snack, will ya?"

"No." He said, chewing on another chip and bringing his bag of goods closer to protect them. "This is all for me, I bought it..."

"Guess you're right about that one..."

"You're not supposed to eat in class until the bell rings for lunch." Tsukasa explained.

"Mm, mm..." Genji shook his head and swallowed. "Makko says ve con do anting we wanna..." he plopped another chip in his mouth. One of Tsukasa's eyes closed slightly as he watched crumbs jump out of his mouth. "... as wong as we answer her questons."

"Disgusting..." Genji turned back around. Tsukasa directed his gaze to Ayumi. "If I were you, I would not take anything that man has to offer. An-y-thi-ing..."

Ayumi nodded. "I think I know what you mean..."

Makiko walked to the door and opened it. "Hello, how may I- what the?"

Infront of her, Toussaint Neshinbara stood. He appeared much more laid back than usual. He had his bandaged hand in his pocket, his shoulders were slouched, he had a smirk on his face, slightly showing his white teeth. His eyes were sharp and his eyebrows were narrowed in confidence. He then held up his other hand in a greeting motion. "Hiya..."

Makiko could only blink, as could Masazumi. Futayo narrowed her eyes at him as Hituro stared wide eyed as Neshinbara stepped in without waiting to be invited. Tsukasa glared at him as Ichijou and Kazu tracked his movements.

"Neshinbara..." Makiko started to ask. "Wh... what happened to you?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah..." He slid his bandaged hand out from his pocket to show them. Amagi squinted her eyes. "Well, for some reason, I felt a major cramp in my arm, so I took off my bandages and blood gushed out everywhere... So I went to the hospital to get checked on and was recently released.

Toori smiled. "So that explains the blood."

"Judge." He said while closing his eyes and looking down. Masazumi then narrowed her eyes.

This is strange, he's acting much more confident than usual. One night out couldn't have possibly altered him this much. Maybe he's just in a really good mood or something, but I doubt that. "So..." Masazumi said, relaxing her gaze. "What was last night about?"

Neshinbara leaned back and turned his head to Masazumi, still wearing that strange smile. "What?"

Masazumi didn't know why, but that smile of his gave her the creeps.

"Oh, you mean the gifts?"

"Jud..." Masazumi replied, her expression becoming stern.

Neshinbara lightly squinted at her with a smile, then closed his eyes. "I felt I wasn't being good enough of a friend to you guys, always causing problems... and after that fight I had with Tomo, I felt so guilty..."

Masazumi gritted her teeth. He doesn't even sound serious... Masazumi's eyes looked at the others of the class, most of them must have been as suspicious as they were, but like her they wouldn't act just on suspicion.

"Oi, Tomo, did you read my letter?"

Tomo perked up. "Uh... Uh, yes. It was... very touching..." Why does he seem so out of character? Did something happen to him? She looked away as Makiko studied the boy.

"Well, Neshinbara..." Makiko said. "Thank you for your presents, but we must resume class. I won't count you as tardy today, okay."

"Thank you..."

Makiko only nodded and resumed her duties as Neshinbara proceeded to his seat. Shirojiro squinted at him as he passed by. Neshinbara sat down and widened his smile.

Soon, luch arrived and Shirojiro and Heidi were preparing to go meet with Oxford Academy's treasurer, Howard Charles, in the late afternoon. Everybody was mainly busy with eating, except Tomo, Makiko, and Neshinbara. Masazumi and Kazu watched the boy carefully. Masazumi could definately tell something about him was off.

"What is he doing?" Kazu asked.

Masazumi shook her head. "It seems like he's just sitting there, listening to everybody... but why?"

Amagi stared at the back of Neshinbara's head. What is this feeling I'm experiencing? Is this distaste? Why should I care about how he acts? There is just something not right about him. Amagi blinked, her irises shining slightly. I'm detecting very different signals from him. He's... stronger... faster... It is almost as if he is not human at all. What is this that I am sensing from him?

Amagi stared at him as Neshinbara sat back in his chair with crossed arms, glaring at the front with a smirk. His body heaved slightly, almost as if he was laughing. Amagi blinked, then narrowed her eyes again.

What ever it is... I don't think that is the Neshinbara I know... and I have a feeling the others are thinking the same thing.

Amagi directed her attention over to Tomo, who was talking with Makiko. For days now late after school, she heard Tomo had been feeling awfully stressed at home, and Makiko was counciling her about it. She seemed really stressed everytime Makiko tried to concole her, like she always has. Amagi turned to Horizon, who too was staring at Neshinbara. He didn't seem to be at all bothered by it.

I take it that what ever he is doing here, may not be good for us... But I'll just have to wait and see... after all, they are my enemies too... Amagi closed her eyes.

"Hey there..." said a new voice.

"Huh?" Amagi looked up and to her side to find Toori with a bowl of food in his hand standing right beside her.

"Hey, you looked pretty hungry, Amagi." He motioned to the table. "Do you mind if I sit down?"

Amagi blinked, confused. What does he want? She looked at the food, then at him. "Uh, sure, go ahead..."

"Thanks." Toori pulled up a chair and sat down. He then placed the large bowl of noodles infront of her. She looked at it curiously. "Here, you can have that."

Amagi blinked at the food. "Are... you sure?" She looked up at him.

"Yeah, I just gave it to you, didn't I?"

Amagi looked back at the noodles. Wow, no one has ever served me before. All I've done is... Images of only taking countless and sometimes ridiculous orders from the pope came to her mind. It was one task after another, there was never a break, nor was she ever asked if she needed one. But this boy just served her without question? She looked back at him. "This... is for me?"

Toori smiled and nodded. "Well, a girl's gotta eat, right? Just because you're an automaton doesn't mean you don't eat. You are flesh and blood you know, not just circuits and wires." He smiled widely. Amagi slowly took the bowl into her hands and stared at the steaming heap.

"Thank you..."

Away from them, Makiko took Tomo's hand, whome of which shook her head, her long purple hair swaying with it. "Tomo, if things are getting to the point where you can't handle it at home, maybe you should get out for a while."

Tomo looked up at her. "But where would I go? There really isn't anywhere for me, and I have no real job..."

Makiko smiled softly. "How about you stay at my place?"

"Huh? Are you sure you can do that?"

"Of course." Makiko told her. "All of you spent the night together at my place several times, and I am kinda lonely. I have like, three spare rooms..."

"Do- do you mean it!?" Tomo asked with sincerity. Makiko nodded slowly. Tomo's smile appeared slowly and then she wrapped her arms around her teacher. "Oh, thank you, Makiko! Thank you!"

She could only chuckle. "You're welcome..."

Hituro walked up to where Neito was sitting, eating a box of fried rice and chopped pork. "Uh, hello..."

"Hmm?" Neito turned to him. "Oh, you're one of the new guys that came here yesterday. I think I remember you..."

"Yeah... We met in second grade." Hituro said. "Um, may I sit down?"

"What, you're not going to go sit with him?" Neito cast her glare over to Neshinbara.

"Eh..." Hituro too looked that way. "There is something not right with him today... I know Toussaint, and he's not like that..." His eyes narrowed. "To be honest, I don't trust him right now..."

"True..." Neito looked away. "Sure, you can sit down." Hituro smiled.

"Thanks." She merely nodded and continued eating. Hituro looked at her bangs shyly, then to the window. I can't believe how beautiful she is... Don't stare though, you've only re-known her for a day, even though we really have known eachother for three years... He smiled to himself.

Kazu took another bite of a shrimp in his box. Ichijou looked at him. "Is that the shrimp from last night?"

"Yep. Oh, and you mean this morning by the way." Kazu corrected. "It's only been twelve hours, and they were fridged, so they're fine..." He ate another.

"You didn't hear me say anything about them being bad, right?"

"Mmm... Nah. Not really."

"Good." Ichijou took another bite of his meal.

Elsewhere, Tenzou was holding a magazine and was thoroughly looking at it as Toori approached him and Kiyonari. "Ooh!" Tenzou exclaimed. "She looks really good!"

"Jud." Kiyonari agreed. Then he turned his attention to Toori. "Hey, chancellor."

"Hiya." Toori replied. "So, what are you guys doing?"

"We're looking at a magazine full of women." Kiyonari said.

"Ah..."

"Toori." Tenzou said. "What would you think of me and her?" Tenzou held up a picture in the book and showed it to Toori. It was a girl with blonde hair and medium sized breasts. Toori examined it closely.

"Hmm... Nope! Can't see it happening man."

Tenzou did not even look disappointed. "Judge. I don't even think she is a good match for..." Not like Dame Scarred at least... "By the way, Toori..."

"Hmm?" He asked without even bothering to look at him.

"What kind of plan does Shirojiro have in mind to get a meeting with the Queen of England?"

"Oh?" He looked at him slightly. "Shiro plans to hold a festival. If he succeeds, then we are going to hold a private cook out down in England near the downed ship."

"Is it okay if I invite a friend?"

"Jud!" Toori smiled confidently. "You're talking about that cloaked dude!"

Tenzou popped up nervously. "Uh, well..." He calmed down. "Judge."

"Yeah, sure, go ahead."

"Thanks then, Toori."

"Don't mention it..."

Amagi looked at them as she sipped in some long noodles. I don't know why... but... I think I can get used to these guys... She looked at the noodles, then the Pope came to her mind. No! I've got to stay focused... They are the enemy. I can't let my guard down, not even for a minute. She swallowed the noodles. But... these are quite good.