Two Worlds Collide: Book 1: A New World

by Dark Waffle

AU. Book 1 of the Two Worlds Collide Trilogy! Kurata Sana, a girl with dreams to become a famous singer. Hayama Akito, a boy with a sole purpose to protect his King. Both from different worlds, but somehow, somewhere their fates were connected to each other. With two worlds colliding, both teenagers learn they need to rely on each other more than they think.

17. Book 1: Chapter 16: New Year, No Problem

A/N: Hey guys! I'm back with the next chapter! I know what you're thinking! Finally! I really want to finish this book by the end of the summer. I've officially graduated from high school and will start college in the fall! I'm so excited! Hopefully, that means that I will have more time to write more! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

I don't own Kodocha or any of its content J

'Thoughts'
"Speech"
"Flashback/Dream"

Two Worlds Collide: Book I: A New World: Chapter 16: New Year, No Problem?

-O-

"There's something in him that I simply didn't see."
-Belle, Beauty and The Beast

-O-

"You got offered WHAT?!"

"Sana, this is the fifth time I told you." Tsuyoshi dead panned as he placed his drink on the table. Sana, Tsuyoshi and Aya decided to meet up at the local café. The spring session of school was going to start in three days and they had to finish any last minute work they did not get done, meaning Sana still had tons of homework to get done.

"But Tsuyoshi! That's amazing!" The auburn haired teenager exclaimed with enthusiasm! A bright grin stretched across her soft, pale face.

Tsuyoshi scratched the back of his head in proud embarrassment with a blush forming on his cheeks. Aya grabbed onto his arm and snuggled closer to him.

"He was so late on New Year's! I thought something terrible happened to him!" Aya added in, her cheeks tainted with a light red.

"Did you ever see that man and his daughter again?" Sana questioned as she stuffed a muffin into her mouth.

The brown haired teenager shook his head. "No. But I know that the father is okay because they were taken to Tokyo University Hospital so Dr. Asuhara notified me of his condition."

"That's great news!" Sana stated. "I'm happy that he's alright!"

"Yeah me too! It makes me feel a bit better." Though Tsuyoshi was talking about something else entirely. He was happy his medical skills were still intact, but upset that he was not as confident as he had been in his own skills.

"By the way Tsuyoshi, how did you know what was wrong with him? And what to do so he wouldn't have died?" Sana questioned as she set her homework aside.

"Oh yes! I've been meaning to ask you the same question Tsuyoshi-kun." Both girls looked Tsuyoshi with questioning eyes, wondering how he was knowledgeable in medicine at such a young age.

The young medic looked down at his lap, his fingers entwined nervously. He fidgeted slightly, nervous at how to answer Sana's question. He had to make sure everything he said, matched with Akito's story. Or else, the blonde haired captain would hang him.

"Well you see, back in our hometown, we had this old doctor. He was wise and very smart, especially in medicine." Which was not completely a lie, "and one day, I asked him if he could teach me how to wrap wrist and ankles, since my little sister and her friends and my friends were constantly getting hurt."

Both the girls gaped at the mention of a little sister. But before any of them could ask, Tsuyoshi continued on with his story. "So after that, the old doctor said he thought it was really kind of me to help others so he offered to teach me everything he knew!"

It wasn't entirely false. This 'old doctor' was Dr. Yume. He wasn't old, but he was a knowledgably, good doctor. He was very kind and taught Tsuyoshi many skills and helped him learn everything he knew about medicine. He took on his legacy and began to work around the country, helping all those in need. Eventually, he ended up being the personal medic for the Royal Knights.

"What an opportunity! Only very few actually get the chance to train under Dr. Asuhara! You should be very grateful Tsuyoshi-kun." The chocolate haired teenager said as she sipped on her tea. He smiled, shaking his head vigorously.

"I didn't know you were the smart Tsuyoshi!" Stars of hope gleamed in the bright eyes of Sana. Tsuyoshi gave her a confused stare. "Now you can help me with all this work!" she gestured with a lopsided grin.

"Oh Sana-chan." Aya commented with a giggle.

"So Tsuyoshi! You have a little sister?" Sana's eyes gleamed and her face brightened up quickly. She absolutely loved children! She was patient with them, and acted as one of them whenever they were around.

"That's right; I didn't know you had a little sister Tsuyoshi-kun?" Aya said

Tsuyoshi chuckled nervously. He scratched the back of his head and said "Yeah, I have a six year old sister named Aono Sasaki."

"HOW CUTE!" Sana squealed as she clasped her hands together and her eyes gleamed with a certain sparkle. "I just love kids! I hope I get to meet her one day!"

"Well she certainly is a handful, but she is my little sister and I love her to death. I would hurt anyone that hurt her." Tsuyoshi's voice change at the mention of his sister. He seemed more confident, but Aya could see that he was just acting like the overprotective brother he should be.

"So she lives with your parent's right?" Sana pressed on with the questions, which Tsuyoshi had no problem answering. Though he knew he had to be careful with how he answered them.

"Well, just my mom. My dad left a couple years ago. Things didn't really work out with him." His tone died down a bit. Aya could have sworn there was even a bit of bitterness underlined in his words.

"Well, that makes you the man of the house huh?" Sana pounded on the table, scaring both teenagers. The brown haired boy chuckled embarrassingly.

"I guess so."

Aya watched silently as Sana and Tsuyoshi continued with the conversation. It was at that moment that she realized she knew nothing about Tsuyoshi. She didn't know anything about his family, his past, where he lived, etc. She still didn't know the reason he and Hayama had come to Tokyo in the first place. She thought she knew the boy in front of her, but he ended up being a complete stranger to her. She really only knew who Tsuyoshi wanted her to know.

"Aya? You alright?"

Aya broke out of her trance and shifted her gaze between her two friends. They both were staring at her with concern. She blushed a bit and spoke softly.

"Oh yes! Sorry, I was just lost in my own thoughts for a bit."

Sana waved it off, telling her that she shouldn't catch onto her habits. But Tsuyoshi bit his lip, fearing that her thoughts were focused on him.

As his relationship with Aya grew and his friendship with Sana tightened, his urge to remain quiet about his past had become far more difficult. He felt guilty constantly having to push Aya away; Hayama had far more expertise at this than him. Aya once told him that he didn't have to open up to him, that she would wait till he was ready to share, but how long would that be? Surely, it would only be until he left back to his own world. But until then, how long would she wait? Aya was patient and kind, but he doubted that she would wait so long when there were others who could treat her far better. He wanted so badly to tell her the truth, to show her who he really was. But for the sake and dire importance of this mission, he could only reveal so much about himself and his past.

"When I was younger, I use to break down a lot over my parent's divorce and even though I knew that I had to be the man of the house, I couldn't handle the pressure. I would leave my house and go to the riverside and cry." The brown haired medic admitted as he turned bright pink.

Aya, slightly surprised at the reveal of his past, giggled slightly. She grabbed onto his hand and squeezed it softly. Sana on the other hand seemed too interested in his story to even react.

"Then one day, Akito came up to me, hit me across my head pretty hard if you ask me, and told me something I will probably never forget."

At the mention of his name, Sana went rigid. Her mind raced back to Christmas, the party, him rescuing her, them actually conversing, her running around after him, and the kiss. She still hadn't truly dealt with the aftermath of that kiss. He had stolen her first kiss underneath her nose so sly and quick. Yet, he acted like it wasn't that big of a deal. He trusted her enough to show a side of himself that he hadn't shown anyone. He opened himself up to her and only her.

Oblivious to the auburn haired girl's reaction, Aya asked, "And what did he say to you?"

Tsuyoshi laughed, somewhat embarrassed. "He said 'Only crybabies cry. You're the man of the house now, so act like one baka.'" He impersonated in his best, 'Hayama voice.'

Both teenage girls gaped at the comment. While Aya took it by surprise at how insensitive Hayama had been, Sana soaked in the situation entirely different. Suddenly, any conflicted emotions she had for the blonde haired boy disappeared and a sudden urge of rage encased her body. Her grin had split in half and a frown had now emerged on her light pink lips. Her brows furrowed together and she gritted her teeth together.

"That bastard!" She gritted, leaving both Tsuyoshi and Aya in shock.

"W-what?" Tsuyoshi asked in disbelief. Sana had informed him of their reunion the night of the Christmas party and how they had 'sealed the hatchet', where he was confident the catch phrase was 'buried the hatchet', not that the subject mattered. Nonetheless, he was joyous to learn that they had looked past their differences and agreed to be friends.

"Why would he tell you something so insensitive! Does he not know the pain you must have felt? I knew that sleaze was a jerk, but I didn't cut him out to be a pretentious jerk." She huffed in her rant. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted.

'A sleaze? Wow, Sana really feels that strongly about Hayama huh?' Tsuyoshi inwardly chuckled as he coughed suddenly.

"I'm tellin' ya Tsuyoshi! That jerk is a real pain in the ass! He acts so high and mighty, pushing people away! Then he acts like the world is only imminent for misery and there is no such thing as happiness! Maybe if he actually presented himself nicer and attempted to socialize with others, people wouldn't have such a low opinion of the damn pervert."

Aya was shocked with Sana's rant, wondering why she had suddenly ignited. Then again, it did not surprise her to see the auburn haired girl get so worked up when the name Hayama was mentioned. Tsuyoshi on the other hand could not stop himself from laughing. He hadn't heard anyone bad mouth his friend in a while and he found it funny how she wasn't scared of him and continued to insult him.

"Now Sana-"

"Don't even get me started on his broody nature! He closes himself off from everyone, not letting anyone get the chance to even get to know him, yet befriend him. He is just a lone wolf I tell yah! Always scurried away from the pack, hunting, sleeping, playing on his own!"

Through Sana's insults, her tone had changed slightly. Worked up by her own infuriation towards the golden eyed boy, when mentioning the loneliness he intentionally puts himself through, her heart felt nothing but sadness for the boy.

Tsuyoshi was taken aback once again. He remembered when he first arrived; Sana had referred to him as the lone wolf. Fitting for him, if you asked him. It was true that the young captain had isolated himself for a majority of his life, but he had his reasons, his secrets. But Sana's sudden burst had been correct, all the points she had made, were true. But there was something more to her words, almost like an underlining to her words. He felt that was releasing pent up emotions not based on Hayama's previous actions, but maybe something else he had done to her.

"Sana, he really isn't that bad-"

"-yet his actions prove otherwise." She pressed on.

"Well Sana, I'm sure that whatever Hayama-san does, he does it for a reason. Right Tsuyoshi-kun?" Aya had chimed into the conversation now, Tsuyoshi staggering to answer the question.

"Of course. Everyone has their reasons."

Sana narrowed her eyes at the boy. "And what reasons may those be hmm?"

The teenage boy gulped. "Uhh, that I cannot tell you. Hayama is very, umm how should I say it? Protective of his past. Don't take his broodiness too personal Sana. He is like that with everyone. I've only seen Akito really open up too, like really, open up to one person."

This caused Sana to retreat her venomous gaze. Hayama had opened up to someone? Someone other than the boy in front of her?

Tsuyoshi paled at his sudden words. This was bad, extremely bad. He had slipped, said too much.

"Is this person broody like him?" Sana asked, her anger seeming to have vanquished.

To this question, the boy burst into a fit of laughter. Memories of his childhood and teenage hood had come across his mind. This one individual could lighten up any mood and anyone's day.

Sana and Aya looked at each other in confusion. "Why are you laughing?"

"Be-because this person is the exact opposite of him!" Sana gaped at that comment.

"Wha-what?" She asked in disbelief.

"This person never fails to have a smile on his face. And man does he love to tease Akito! I swear, he bumps head with Akito every day! And man, does he annoy the crap out of Akito! He is really loud and constantly nagging at Akito, telling him to lighten up every once in a while!"

"You know Tsuyoshi-kun, the person you described, sounds just like-"

"-Sana. I know! The striking resemblance in personality caused me to think twice about Sana. For a second, I thought that he was Sana in disguise!"

Sana blinked in confusion. This person was like her huh? A grin stretched out onto her lips. A surge of confidence electrified through her body.

"So you say I'm like this person right? What's his name?" she continued with this mini interrogation.

"Uh- Well you see, I can't really tell you. Akito would hang me!" He said with uneasiness. He fidgeted with his fingers and turned away.

"Aww come on Tsuyoshi." Sana rolled it off her tongue, trying to get him to confess.

Aya felt slightly uncomfortable with the scene in front of her. She knew Sana was only trying to have Tsuyoshi reveal the name, but maybe Tsuyoshi really didn't want to share the name of this friend. Besides, Sana seemed to be taking it too far for her liking.

Tsuyoshi gulped as Sana crept closer to her, wriggling her brows at him.

"Sana-chan. I think we should just leave Tsuyoshi alone. If he doesn't want to share, then we can't force him too. We are not like Hitorashi-san." Ana defended, shocking the remaining teenagers. The brown haired medic blushed as he admired Aya's sudden surge of confidence and Sana gaped.

"I was just being curious." Sana grumbled as she sat back in her seat, arms crossed above her chest.

"I'm sorry Sana. I wish I could tell you more." Tsuyoshi apologized.

A grin split on the auburn haired girl's face. "It's okay Tsuyoshi! Don't worry, I'll get that baka to open up! Just you watch!" She winked at her friends and gave them the thumbs up. Aya giggled and wrapped her arm around Tsuyoshi while he smiled genuinely at the carefree, boisterous girl in front of him.

'I believe you can Sana, I really do.'

-O-

Too much noise.

Way to much noise.

He scowled at the boisterous bunch of teenage girls standing a mere ten feet from him. They were giggling and goggling at him, as always. He had come to the mall because he heard there was a small katana shop that sold katana's and other various weapons. Also, he heard that the owner was a katana master, which sparked his curiosity. But he couldn't possibly continue his search with all these distractions. After all, his mind was already preoccupied up with a certain loud mouth, noisy, know it all, auburn haired girl.

"-never seen him before-"

"-probably a model-"

"Tch." He muttered as he grudgingly walked away, trying to avoid the horrible ogling eyes of these hormonal teenage girls.

He walked aimlessly through the crowd, though they were not many people. Though, he did keep his eyes open for her, the reason he was in this world in the first place.

The princess.

It had been three months since he arrived and there had been no lead. Not to mention, he had no way of knowing who the princess was entirely. Yes, he was searching based off the description and details his king had given him, but how good would that do? The king scarcely had time with his daughter, yet he thought that he would know what she would grow up to look like? She could have changed over the years. She could have dyed her hair, or put in different colored contacts, or cut her hair, or she could have moved out of the city, state, even the damn country! He was in over his head. He thought he could do this, thought he could return her back home. But this mission was impossible. Any of these girls could be her. Even if he was to 'discover' the princess, how would he know that it was certainly her? The day of the princess' birth, the kingdom had already been attacked, so there was no time for the sacred ritual of the royal insignia placement.

Hayama Akito sighed in defeat.

For the first time in his entire career as the Captain of the 6 Royal Knights of Alagasean, there was a mission that he could not complete.

"Hayama?"

Called boy shifted his gaze towards the voice that voiced out to him. He was slightly shocked to see the person standing next to him.

"Hitorashi?" he muttered quietly. A smirk replaced the questioning countenance she earlier displayed.

"Early school shopping?" Her smirk never faltered, her smile was as sly and cunning as ever, Akito thought. She didn't appear to be any different than the night of the disastrous Christmas Party.

"Tch. Wouldn't you like to know?" he spit back sharply.

Hitorashi Ayumi laughed as she flipped her hair with her newly manicured nails. She didn't take offense to his malicious remark. There was a rather malevolence history between them. They both had a haughty temper, ones that shouldn't cross with each other. And his hostile personality didn't match quite right with her hollier-than-thou personality.

"Easy now Hayama-kun. I mean you no ill harm here." she said as she waved her hand.

"You expect me to believe that?" He sneered over at her, not trusting a single word she said.

"I can see why you wouldn't, though, I do say, you're being a bit unreasonable."

Hayama narrowed his eyes at the blonde haired girl. Something seemed… different about her. That pretentious air she had around her had somehow vanished. Her eyes were not as spiteful and wicked as they had been since he met the girl.

"Unreasonable? I think I have every reason to not believe anything that comes out of your mouth."

The grey haired girl rolled her eyes. "Now we're just running around in circles. Come now Hayama, were both intelligent beings, you know this conversation is getting us nowhere. "

"Then I think we're done here." He said as he turned away. Ayumi Hitorashi grabbed onto his arm and brought him close to her face. She scowled at him as she sneered.

"Look you idiot. I'm trying to apologize to you but you're making that impossible for me!"

He blinked. She was trying to apologize?

The Ayumi Hitorashi was trying to apologize. Now when did that ever happen?

"What?" She rolled her eyes once more.

"Why are all men the same? They don't seem to listen to anything we say the first time." She pinched the bridge of her nose, annoyed with the blonde she clutched onto. She released him of her grip and stood back, away from the boy.

He turned away, irritated with her mere presence. But there was definitely something different about her. She had changed and even though he hated to admit it, it was for the better.

The blonde haired heiress sighed and gritted her teeth. "I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused." It was almost as if she forced it out.

"Some apology." The golden eyed boy scoffed.

"Look, I'm trying something out here where I don't sound like a complete bitch but you're making it extremely difficult for me." She growled at him. He was taken aback.

He turned away from her and looked up towards the sky, since this was an outside mall.

"We really are not compatible for each other, are we Hayama?" She asked as she turned the opposite way of him, looking ahead.

He merely shook his head, not verbally answering her question. But she knew. She smiled and laughed. She took out her blush and applied some to her cheeks, which were missing their rosiness.

"Well then I guess this is goodbye Hayama." She said as she began to walk away.

"Hitorashi." She stopped, not looking back at him.

"If you truly are apologetic for your sly ways, then an apology to the loud mouth idiot would be more reasonable."

She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth. She knew, but she was too prideful, to egotistic to just surrender to the auburn haired girl. But at least she was willing to admit it. Her hatred for Sana was more than just pure hate. But maybe her pride was to be blamed, but she didn't care.

"That is, if you're ego and pride allow it."

She merely laughed almost cynically at his comment. "That's the thing with pride Hayama. Every single human has it, some more than others. But some are far more wrapped in their egos that pride is all that they have left to cling too. And you certainly don't fetch to far from me love."

She winked at him and left, the clicking of her heels trailing not too far behind her. No doubt that woman was cunning, evil or not, she still managed to wrap herself in your mind and twist the thoughts dwelling within. He knew he shouldn't dwell on her words, but she was right. He was one to talk about pride when he held the most. He couldn't even muster any apology. His pride had been shot down quite a lot since his arrival to this world, thanks to a certain auburn haired girl. Just like the blonde haired witch, Kurata Sana managed to dwell within all parts of his mind and she never left his mind, not once. And that frustrated him.

"This contest is almost coming to its end, right?"

"Yes it is! On the 21st of this month!"

"I'm so excited! There are some truly talented people out there!"

"Well, the producers and the president himself are going to have to pick the top ten themselves!"

"Wow! The competition is going to be extremely difficult!"

"You can say that again!"

Hayama furrowed his eyes as he walked closer to the T.V. standing outside the electronics store. The details of the contest were scrolling through the program, along with the reward. He wasn't the least bit interested, not caring for the pettiness of the music world. The only reason he was reading through was because he remembered when the idiot was blabbering on about a contest of some sort before the vacation started.

"Whatever." He mumbled to himself and continued walking along the shops and stores.

After a few minutes of walking along the stores aimlessly, he had finally found the small shop. He walked in, noticing how dark it had become. The smell had changed to an antique, old wood smell. There were different types of katana's hanging within the walls of the small shop. Not only were there katana's but there was also other types of weapons, like small knives, tanto's, fist blades, swords, Spanish style rapiers, etc. He was so enthralled by the work that he couldn't lay his eyes off the delicate works.

His eyes met the wall of katana's and he fell in love. He ogled all the delicate, pure blades that hang at ease. He scanned through the different katana's, a red blade that he assumed was once silver that was dyed with a red paint. The black hilt was carved with a dark emblem that he assumed was a diamond. He continued moving slowly, until his eyes caught onto something shimmering in the dullness of the store.

It was a wakizashi.

The blade was dipped in the purest white metal, as white as the moon. The hilt was the darkest black leather. It released a glow that called out to him. He analyzed the sword, the delicate curve, the shimmering light, the carefully designed hilt, everything amazed him.

"They say only the purest souls could wield the power of the moon spirit."

Akito turned quickly to come face to face with an elder man. He was at least 3-4 inches shorter than he and was hairless from his scalp. He had a mustache that reached to the end of his chin. He wore a grey monk traditional robe and blue beads hung around his neck.

"The moon spirit protects the earth at its darkest hours, providing a light for those who are trapped in their dullest hours. It is said that the shadows had tried to consume the light the moon spirit spreads, but the power of the moon was too strong." The older man walked closer towards Hayama, towards the blade, "But the shadows knew that the light could be tainted with hatred. So they consumed the purest of the souls, even the bearer of the moon spirit himself. The world was in darkness, elapsing, suffering from the fear and hatred. But, all was not lost, for there was one who rose against the shadows. One who resisted the temptation of the shadows, one whose soul was pure as white. The shadows had vanquished and the moon had brought light to the even the darkest shadows once more."

"As long as there is good in this world, evil will rise to be its biggest and most challenging adversary."

Hayama listened intently to the words the old man was speaking to him. He watched the light emitting from the blade.

"And what do you think about this blade son?" he asked as both looked over at the wakizashi.

"If this blade can only be weld by the purest soul, then this blade will forever be confined in between these four walls." The older man cocked an eye, enlightened by his words.

"You don't believe there is a single soul in this world with a pure soul?" Hayama shook his head.

"Not even yourself?"

"There is not a soul who is free of sin. Each soul is tainted with a form of evil, even the lesser evils. A pure soul does not exist. My soul is tainted. I have sinned and made mistakes that I do not regret. I have done things that have deemed me heartless and cold. I am no bearer of this purity."

"Even so, those who have suffered have built character. Those who have suffered know the difficulties; know that the path of life is not an easy one."

Hayama scoffed. He was tempted to roll his eyes at the cliché of the old man's words.

"You have suffered, haven't you?"

His eyes grew wide. He looked over at the man who now looked up at him.

"What?"

"Your eyes are not those of a child your age. Your eyes show great pain. You have lived a tiresome and arduous life. You have struggled and endured, and because of these endeavors, you assume you're damaged. And most damaged people think they are dangerous."

He clenched his fist tightly, closing his eyes. Damaged, he thought. If damaged was what he was, then so be it. He knew how to survive; damaged people always knew how to survive.

"A damaged soul is a surviving soul, old man. Nothing more to it."

The older man chuckled. "Maybe so, but there is always an underlining to a damaged soul. That is why only the purest of souls can hold the power of the moon spirit. As intellectual and persistent an injured soul is there is always a hidden agenda."

His eyes widened. 'A hidden agenda?'

"An old lover, a tormenting secret, an arduous past, an extraneous failure, or perhaps… the worst of all…" His voice trailed off, "vengeance."

That struck a nerve. Hayama Akito resisted the urge to growl. He bit down on his lip, fury coursing through his veins.

"A personal vendetta is the most contemptuous of these hidden agendas. Vengeance only creates greater suffering, greater pain, and greater torment. The cycle of hate never ceases to exist. As long as there is hate, the world will know pain."

"Maybe that is all a broken soul can hold onto. Maybe, the only path left for this soul is one of agony and a clouded future." The blonde haired captain responded, turning away from the purity in front of him.

"Perhaps, but perhaps, a damaged soul can be repaired. And maybe, a repaired soul serves justice as much as the purest soul."

Hayama looked back at the old man, who was now giving him a gentle smile. This smile was of comfort, reassurance. He scoffed, turning away, looking at the other blades in the shop.

"If that is all, I hope you will come by again, young man." His voice was comforting, welcoming. He offered only kindness, kindness he didn't deserve.

"Yeah." He trotted back to the way he came in, still observing the features of the store.

"And bring that katana of yours by, if you don't mind son?"

Hayama whipped his head back, eyes wide as saucers. The old man was standing with his arms in his sleeves, smiling at him. But how did he know, Hayama thought.

"H-how?" he asked, exasperated.

The older man chuckled slightly. "Your thumbs. Only swordsmen have an indent on the pads of their thumbs from constantly pulling and placing the blade from its sheath."

With that statement, he stammered his way back to the back of his shop, leaving a dumbfound Hayama. He quickly looked down at his thumbs and nearly went goggle eyed at the indents in his thumbs. He replaced his astonished countenance with his normal stoic face.

As he walked out of the shop, a cold breeze hit him, to which he shivered slightly too. As he made his way back home, a smirk formed from the thin line he had on his face.

'Foolish old man.'

-O-

The cold winter air felt nice, she decided. Though the winter was still harsh, the chilly air was soothing. She looked down at her notepad and looked at the lyrics she had scattered together. Song writing was easy. You could put together a bunch of words and still write a successful song! But hers needed to be different. It needed to demonstrate the type of person she was, what her personality was. But she was having a hard time doing that. With her mind trailing off to other things, her inspiration had gone away. Rei had chastised her, reminding her that the deadline was in a few weeks. It was her fault for not working at it, but the life of a teenage girl was hard.

She sighed as she leaned back into the window door, frustrated. She thumped the back of her head multiple times, her eyes closed. She needed inspiration, a spark.

"I know! I'll rap!" A playful grin stretched on her pale lips. She dove under her bed and pulled out an old recording toy she use to use when she was younger. She would record something and it would repeat it back with a beat. She pressed the button and the machine light up, Sana's face glowing with the excitement of a child.

'Alright, here we go!' She pressed the button and put the microphone next to her mouth.

"Sana's all riled up and she can't dance!"

'Sana's all riled up and she can't dance!'

"I'm lost and confused, don't know what to write next! It seems it's no use, when I can't connect! What a fail I'll be, if I can't even compete! But I know I can! If I just use this pan! Chaaaaaa!" She rapped as she jumped on her bed, singing loudly for all to hear.

But the thought just dawned on her, how did she end up with a frying pan in her hand? She chuckled as she sat down, chucking the pan somewhere on the floor. She slumped down, lying completely on her bed. She stared up at the ceiling, several thoughts running through her mind.

The most infuriating one being that Hayama had kissed her.

A blush crept onto her mind as she thought back to almost two weeks ago. The scoundrel had kissed her and didn't even give her an explanation for it. She wanted to punch him, maybe even leave a mark so he knew not to mess with Kurata Sana anymore! A triumphant smile dawned on her lips. If only she could do that right now, it could even give her inspiration!

"I'll just rap that out too!"

She stood up and pulled her toy out, turning it back on. The beat began and she played the button.

"Boys are stupid and I don't know why!"

"Boys are stupid and I don't know why!"

"Hayama, my nemesis, always doing things to get my interested! Always broody and moody, never doing anything to be happy or merry! Kisses me then disses me right after! Gots my mind being crazy and never knowing what to do forever!"

And with that, the lame rap she made for Hayama was over. She sat back down and sighed with frustration. Stupid boy always had her confused and frustrated.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Come in!" The auburn haired teenager called out as she sighed in bed.

The door opened, and in walked in her mother, the award winning author, Kurata Misako.

"Oh hey mama!" She sat up and gave her mother a childish grin.

The author smiled at her daughter, walking over to her in strides, sitting down softly on the mattress. There had been things she had wanted to discuss with her daughter, things that could not wait.

"Daughter, I see you are making use of your last night of freedom?" Sana blushed scratching the back of her head. She knew full well school was starting back again tomorrow. She knew few well that she would have to face Hitorashi Ayumi and Hayama Akito once again. But she wasn't sure she was too ready to do it.

"Well what better way than to sing your feelings right? Hehe." She giggled as she crossed her legs and grabbed onto her feet, rocking back and forth.

"Something you've always done as a child." The older woman commented, smiling over at her daughter. For a brief second, she saw the five year old version of Kurata Sana smiling back at her. She remembered when she first began to sing, her first cover of a simple song that was forgotten years ago. It was amazing at how fast time had gone by and how much her little girl had grown. From holding her in her arms when she was born, to watching over her over the years, maturing as the years went by.

"Well I'm good at it!" She winked, her confidence shining.

"That you are." The older Kurata smiled down at her daughter.

"Hey mama."

"Yes?"

"What does it mean when a boy kisses you?" Sana asked, with the most innocent voice, feeling utterly confused.

Misako went dumbstruck. Did she really just ask her what it meant to be kissed?

"Now daughter, why would you ask such a question?"

Sana immediately blushed. At that moment, it dawned on Misako why her daughter would ask such a question. A sly smile appeared on the author's face, causing Sana to shy away from her mother.

"My my, has my daughter finally been kissed?" Sana turned brighter red at those words, "On the lips too?" At the moment, Sana exploded with embarrassment, sputtering nonsense while Misako wriggled her eyebrows.

"Wh-what?! N-no! Of course not!" she defended, clutching tightly onto her pillow.

"Oh ho ho! That's not what your face says!" The author waved her hand, with a smile spread on her pale lips, "Really daughter, if you're going to lie, first become better at it."

The auburn haired girl's face flushed. "N-no one kissed me! I wa-was just wondering because some girls at school were talking about it!"

"Of course, of course! But Sana," Misako locked eyes with her daughter, "you don't simply just ask your mother what it means to be kissed unless there is an alternative motive to it. Now, who kissed you?"

"Wh-why do you keep saying that! I WASN'T kissed!" she continued to argue, not knowing her mother would actually delve into this topic.

"I have kept you away from the norm that is teenage hood for far too long. How is it that my daughter would ask such a question and not even answer the question?" Misako asked as she pulled out her fan and placed it in front of her mouth, trying to hide the devil smirk on her face.

"Wh-what!?"

"I wonder…" the author whispered to herself, "was it our dear Naozumi-san?"

Sana went wide eyed and abruptly stood up from where she was sitting in her bed, mouth still hanging wide.

"EHH!?" She screeched.

Misako merely cocked an eyebrow. If not Naozumi, then who?

"MAMA! Why would you even suggest him!? Nao is my best friend! He would never kiss me!"

The brown haired woman sighed, rubbing her temples with her hands. 'Poor Naozumi-san. I am very sorry Naozumi. My daughter's dense nature is my fault. I have sheltered her for far too long.'

"But someone did kiss you?"

Sana froze, face still as red and hot as a tomato. "NO!"

"You're a terrible liar. Your face is burning up and~" she sang, "your heart is beating abnormally fast for someone who is not lying."

Sana quickly put her hand over her heart to try and stop the uncontrollable beating in her chest. How did her mama know her so well?

"He shouldn't have been my first kiss!" Sana blurted out, quickly covering her mouth, eyes wide.

Misako grinned as soon as the words escaped her daughter's mouth.

'Ah, that boy.'

"How bold of dear Hayama to kiss you so innocently~!" she said in a sing song voice, her arms clasped together, a devious smile plastered to her face.

Sana's face heated up. "Ho-how'd you know!? And it wasn't innocently! This pervert kissed me out of nowhere!" she scrunched her eyes together, flailing her arms and legs up and down, while pouting.

"I was only guessing, but you just confirmed my suspicions." Her eyes wriggling at her daughter, who now stood dumbstruck.

"MAMA! You rotten cheater!" the auburn haired girl cried out as she flailed her arms and legs once again.

Misako laughed at that moment, but quickly composed herself, pulled her fan out, and her face became completely stoic.

"Now, tell me what happened."

Sana sighed and sat on the bed. It was then that she told her the events of the Christmas party that she had not told her, which included her conversation with Naozumi and Hayama, the kiss, her chasing him around, and his stay at the Kurata household, but of course, she kept the groping part out of the conversation.

"-and there you have it." She sighed roughly, as if she had been holding her breath for far too long.

Misako sat, contemplating the events that had occurred. First, her daughter had rejected sweet Naozumi and sent him deep into the lagoon that was known as the friend zone. Second, Hayama had kissed her daughter. Thirdly, he willingly walked out into a harsh, cold, night.

"Mama? Hello! Is anybody in there?" Sana asked as she waved her hand in front of the author's eyes, then yelled into her ear, causing Misako too move away from her daughter.

"Sana, did you ever think that maybe he might interested in you?"

Sana blinked, her eyes turning into small dots.

'Interested?'

Memories and images of the past few months with her newly acquainted friends flashed through her mind. Most of the images were of him insulting her, nagging her, degrading her. But then, there were those subtle and small moments of him being nice. She shook her head.

"Him? Interested in me!" She began laughing at this, making Kurata Misako gaze at her daughter in confusion. Sana began to laugh so hard that she had to sit down and clutch onto her stomach for laughing so hard.

While mimicking his personalities, she said "Mama! This guy is so broody and moody, not to mention, BIPOLAR! I don't think someone like him is capable of being interested in anyone matter of fact." She ranted, trying to defend her position.

"Don't you think you're being a bit harsh, Sana?"

Sana pouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest. She knew she was being a bit unfair, but when it concerned Hayama, no one ever knew what that boy's actions would be next. She dropped her pout and it was replaced with a thin line on her pale lips. She was better than to judge him so harshly, especially after recoiling not so long ago.

"I-I just don't understand. I'm confused by his actions. I thought he hated me, didn't want anything to do with me, but all of a sudden… he just kisses me and acts like it's the most natural thing in the world." Sana's voice trailed off and she sat in contemplation.

"It could be that young Hayama finds it difficult to express what he is feeling, so he uses different actions to relay his thoughts." Misako advised. She watched as her daughter sat and bit her lip.

"So than what does his kiss mean?"

"Why don't you ask him and find out?" Misako smiled.

The auburn haired teenager turned red, not knowing how exactly that conversation would turn out. School was starting tomorrow and there was enough going on with the whole Ayumi situation. Besides, it wasn't like she was going to go up to Hayama and say "Hey! Why did you kiss me you idiot!" Well, maybe she could, but she couldn't do it in front of other people.

"Do not worry yourself too much over this situation; after all, there are other more important things that you must focus on."

With that, Misako stood up and trotted her way out of her daughter's room. Before closing the door for the night, she took one last look at her. She was now laid back on her bed, arm covering her eyes while the other was laid across her stomach. She hadn't seen her daughter so troubled. Sure, she had poke fun at her daughter, pestering her with harmless jokes. But she was beyond curious.

'I wonder, what exactly do you want from my daughter, Hayama.'

-O-

Night turned into day as the morning sun hit the dark skies of Tokyo, Japan. The morning had been a chilly one with a frosty, winter breeze that chilled everyone to the bone. There was less snow than the earlier months, but it still fell, once a week at the most. Despite the cold winter air, life blossomed in Tokyo. And that included the students who were now returning to school.

As always, Jinbou High School was bustling with activity, the school being one of the biggest in the county. Students poured in, talking loudly about their adventures during their vacations. They talked about how they spent their holidays, where they traveled, different activities they did, and so on. But there was one topic that overpowered all: Kurata Sana's Christmas Party. It was the hottest trend for a few days and then it died down, not many talking about it. But once school was only days away, the topic was once again circling around the gossip circle and remained hot.

And Hitorashi Ayumi was ready for whatever came her way.

She walked, with her head held high, through the gates of Jinbou High School. She completely ignored all the stares, the whispers, and the gossip that was rolling though the school. So many thought she would cave, she would disappear, or she would transfer, not being able to handle the utter embarrassment she had experienced.

But she was Hitorashi Ayumi, dammit! She was the daughter of one of the strongest, most powerful, and wealthiest CEO's of all Japan. If there was something that her father did teach her, it was to never let loose of your pride. He always barked at her whenever she showed weakness and vulnerability. He never allowed her to show such pettiness. She always kept her head high, never faltering and always, always masking her emotions. There was no such thing as emotions in her world. Pride was always held high in her world, especially in her household. Her father was the most arrogant man and she realized just how much she took after him.

Even so, her pride was just as high as his, and she wouldn't she cowardice to her schoolmates.

"Did you hear?"

"Oh my god! I know! I couldn't believe it!"

"-she was completely drenched-"

"-who would have known huh-"

"-how the mighty have fallen-"

People whispered, gossiping about how she had been brought to her knees, saying how she deserved it and that Kurata Sana should not have shown her such mercy. She had just reached her locker when that comment was made. She turned sharply towards the group of girls that had been whispering about her.

"If I remember correctly, just a few weeks ago, you were all worshipping the ground I walked on." The girls looked astonished, not thinking that Ayumi would actually fight back.

"We-well that was back before you were finally stood up too! Yo-you don't scare us anymore Ayumi!" one girl fought back.

"Really? Then why are you trembling?"

The girl bit her lip and stepped back. "I-I'm not trembling!"

Ayumi inwardly chuckled. All these people could do was talk behind her back. When it came to face to face, they would shy away, sputtering utter nonsense.

"Face it, even when I'm at my lowest, I am still higher than most of you."

"Ayumi?"

Called girl turned around to come face to face with her worst enemy since back when they were toddlers: Kurata Sana. That's when the whispers started. A circle had begun to gather around the two teenagers as they watched the girls.

Hitorashi locked her cunning grey eyes with her sworn enemy's confident hazel ones. She stood there, her auburn hair cascading gently down her shoulders and back. Her eyes were determined, strong, and hopeful. She clutched onto her bag, her lips at a thin line. Behind her, stood her best friend Sugita Aya. The timid girl clutched onto her bag as well, but in a more nervous state.

The tension was high in the air, neither girls breaking the silence. Hitorashi Ayumi watched her foe, observing for any sign of weakness, but it seemed like there wasn't any. And Kurata wasn't glaring at her; rather she could have sworn she saw a smile. This girl didn't scorn her for her past. She forgave her.

Sana stood, gazing towards the blonde beauty. Her eyes were still sharp and cunning as ever. Her pride was still there, probably as high as ever. She would not let herself fall after something like this. It wasn't in her nature. Sana would be disappointed if she did, she admitted. She inwardly grinned. Ayumi was much stronger than that.

But question was, was she done being the enemy? She walked in the school with wandering eyes following her and harsh whispers following her trail. Some came up to her and thanked her for standing up the blonde while others thought there would be repercussions for her actions. But everything was on Ayumi and how she would handle it.

So when Sana saw her arguing with a group of girls, she couldn't say she was not the bit disappointed. What if she was still going to terrorize others? What if she was wrong?

"I think she had a change of heart tonight." He scoffed, shaking his head slightly as he pulled away from her.

"You're being ridiculous." He refuted, "No one changes over night."

"That may be true, but I think it's safe to say that Ayumi won't terrorize people anymore." She smirked, reassuring her answer.

"And if you're wrong?" he inquired, "What will you do then? Will you continue to cower to her? Or will you stand against her?"

'I won't let her continue hurting others.'

Sana gave her a cheeky, confident grin, one that made Ayumi befuddled.

"Good morning, Ayumi!" It was the angelic smile that everyone fell for, the one that melted any cold heart. The bone beauty wanted nothing more than to yell at her naiveté, her silliness. She wanted to tell her how much she hated her and that stupid smile, to tell her how no matter how many times she tried; she wasn't going to be her friend.

But she couldn't. Because even though she envied Kurata Sana, she couldn't bring herself to hate her.

"Tch." The grey haired girl turned away and began to walk to her designated class, with the circle of people opening up a path for her.

But before doing so, she turned to the group of girls. "And don't think that I surrendered. You are just insolence that I don't wish to deal with so early in the morning."

With that, she turned away for good, but not before locking eyes with her sworn enemy. They engaged in their own private battle, not of words, but rather the eyes. Grey eyes held their own as hazel eyes stood proud with assurance. Sana's eyes were bright, like the sun, full of energy and life. Her eyes shined with a bright radiance, as if she was blinding the evil in her heart. Ayumi gazed sharply, her vicious gaze standing their own. Her pride would not falter, not after getting this far in life.

But the truth was, she had won many battles, but the war was won by someone else.

"And it's Hitorashi to you, Kurata." Finally, she walked away, with a proud smirk etched on her beautiful face, swaying her hips with confidence.

Maybe she hadn't won the war, but she won much more.

Sana merely chuckled as the blonde stunted away from them. 'Well, she wasn't going from devil to angel just over a few weeks.'

The group of girls thanked Sana and praised her for her bravery. Sana quickly thanked them and escaped the crowd, with Aya high toe behind her. After they managed to change their shoes and escape anymore on lookers or admirers, they finally made it to their safe haven they called homeroom. Sana released a defeated sigh.

"I don't think I can take this anymore!" She admitted with defeat.

"Oh Sana-chan. There just admiring your bravery. They are right you know. Hitorashi-san was never stood up to before." Aya said as she comforted her friend.

"Well, someone's gotta do it!" she said with a fist pump to the air, her smile radiating high and proud!

"I guess I am a hero in some sort of way." She wriggled her eyebrows as she waved her hand, Aya giggling at her best friend's childish ways.

"By the way Aya, where's your boyfriend at? Huuuuuuuh?" The auburn haired teenager said as she cooed at her friend, who turned bright red.

"Tsuyoshi-kun! Oh! We-well he said he had something to do this morning, so he would just meet me here." She nervously played with her fingers, her face burning red. Sana laughed evilly to herself. She loved teasing Aya no doubt. It was always fun.

"SANA!" At that moment, Sana was greeted by her two longtime friends: Hisea and Mami. They were animate about the Ayumi situation, gossiping about the attest trend and saluting Sana for her strong upstanding against her.

The class began to fill up and though she was catching up with her classmates, her eyes were wondering off for a certain someone. He hadn't arrived yet and neither had Tsuyoshi, so she could only assume they were together.

She was ready, or so she thought. She put a lot of thought into what she would say or how she would react. She also put a lot of thought into how his reaction would be and what he would say. Though she knew, he wouldn't say much, considering how talkative he was.

But she wouldn't falter to him. She was Kurata freakin Sana. She was the most unpredictable person that anyone had ever met. She was her own person. She was stubborn and hard headed, never letting others sway her way.

"Aya-chan!"

Aya raced towards her brown haired boyfriend, a smile etching on her soft face.

"Tsuyoshi-kun!" They ran at each other, lost in their own love. Some chuckled with others cringed in disgust at the sappiness of their love. Sana merely laughed as she sweat dropped at their love.

It was then that she saw him. He strolled in, walking with a cool stride. He looked the same as he did a few weeks ago, with his broad, strong shoulders, his stoic countenance, his wild, blond hair, his cool demeanor, and his cold eyes. His bag slung off his shoulder and both hands were in his pockets, a bored expression now on his face. Many girls ogled the young male, hearts in their eyes after watching his every move. Sana bit down on her lip as he came closer and closer. After all, his seat was next to hers.

Her eyes followed him and her heart began to beat rapidly. Her mind was spinning quickly and her breathing became rapid. She felt her heart constrict together. This was not normal? So why was it happening to her?

She tore her gaze away, trying to control her breathing. She placed her hand over her heart, taking a deep breath, trying to steady her heart beat. When she looked back up, hazel met gold.

It was like that night all over again. It was a sea of a dull gold. His eyes were so cold, so heartless. But even so, they were so captivating, that she could lose herself in his eyes. She was mesmerized, almost as if there was a force pulling her into him. She remember how she could see herself through his eyes and when she least expected it, he kissed her. The memory burned through her mind. She felt herself blush as the image replayed over and over.

But she wasn't going to let him win. She was going to show him just how strong she was; to show him that she was strong enough to be his friend.

She gave him the angelic smile, the one that everyone fell in love with. It took him a minute to realize what was going on. One second, they were locked, eye to eye, the next, she gave him that beau-genuine smile that she had been giving him since he had met her. His could have sworn his heart missed a beat. He gulped silently to himself.

"Good morning Hayama!" That angelic smile turned into her cheeky grin; the type of grin that stretched onto her entire face. He could see the small blush creeping onto her cheeks though. He mentally smirked. The kiss replayed in his mind and all of a sudden, his cheeks felt slightly hot.

He turned away, muttering something inaudible. He hid his eyes in his blonde bangs, walking to his desk. He plopped himself down, plugging his earphones into his ears and turning away from the class. Sana's grin dropped into a frown as he failed to greet her, but then she sighed, realizing that he too would not turn from jerk to nice guy overnight. She secretly casted a glance at him, watching as his bore expression never sufficed. How could someone be so… calm, she wondered. It wasn't until she locked eyes with him again, that she realized he had caught her staring. The blush crept to her cheeks once more as he gave her a devilish smirk.

'Th-that pervert!'

She turned away, crossing her arms, huffing in annoyance. 'Baka Hayama!'

He let his smirk fall, but before returning his gaze towards the window, he let his eyes fall over to the empty seat that belonged to the girly boy, Kamura. He hadn't arrived yet, something that Hayama enjoyed. He wouldn't have a girly boy breathing down his neck all day.

"Alright class! Everyone in their seats!" The teacher said as he walked in. The students of class A-2 returned to their seats and prepared for the day.

Sana turned back slightly to realize that her best friend wasn't at school today. She frowned slightly, knowing that Naozumi didn't miss school much unless there was an important reason. She decided she would text him, but after class.

-O-

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"This is a big commitment. You do know that you might have to leave school and continue studies at home with a private tutor." He sighed, his thoughts lingering on a certain person.

"Yes dad."

"Honey, if this is what you want, we will gladly support you."

He smiled at his adopted mother. He clutched her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. His parents gave him the most support and always encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Now those dreams have become reality.

"I know mom. I'm going to do this." His crystal blue eyes radiated with his movie star smile. She cried tears of happiness and his father smiled at his family. He gave Naozumi a pat on the back.

"Have you told Sana-chan yet?"

His eyes went wide. Shisou and Komoya Kamura both looked at each other in worry. They both knew full well of their sons feelings for the auburn haired girl. This could affect their friendship and possible relationship.

"No… Not yet."

"When will you?" His mother asked.

"Before I leave, that's for sure." His eyes were hard with concentration. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. Shisou and Komoya both decided it would be best to leave their son to his own thoughts.

"Goodnight son." Shisou said as he closed the door behind him.

"Night dad." He muttered as he laid back against his bed.

His thoughts wandered off to different places. He knew that once he left, they would drift apart. He knew that she would be farther to reach. He knew that things would be different. He didn't want to leave her, but he had too. His concerns were mostly wrapped around one person: Hayama Akito.

He didn't know what he would do to her. He didn't know what would aspire between the two. He knew Sana was interested in him, not in the romantic way of course. She was a curious person. When she found something she was intrigue by, she did her best at figuring it out.

And that was what scared him the most.

But all he could now was believe in her and work his hardest to become the best.

A/N: I'm sorry this took forever to come out! Basically, my computer broke down and it wasn't working so I had to get it fixed and the person who was fixing it took FOREVER so I didn't get it back till like a month. The worst part was when I got it back to continue the story, all my documents were WIPED OUT. Can you imagine how PISSED I was, especially since I had this half written and ready to release within two weeks!

Then I remembered that I had everything saved on my old thumb drive but I couldn't find my thumb drive -_-. So I started the chapter over and just began to write and then one day while I was cleaning my room, I found my thumb drive! I was happy and pissed because I had already began to write the chapter again yet I still had the old chapter. So I just combined both chapters a bit.

After, I went on vacation so I didn't really touch my computer and yeah. So there you have the story of why this update took so long! Im sorry L

Now thoughts on the chapter. I wrote a lot of scenes over and over, especially the scene with Misako and Sana and Ayumi and Sana. I felt like they had to be perfect. Everything had to be in character, especially with Misako's character; mostly because she's probably the only character that I can write the most in cannon haha. Excuse the sorry excuse of the songs Sana sang. I am a HORRIBLE song writer haha. But anyway, I feel really nervous for this chapter and how it came out. And if the end felt rushed, don't worry, it was. I needed to stop writing because it got way to long. I know there may be questions you might have, but they will be answered in due time.

I hope you like what I did to resolve Ayumi's character. And I hope that you liked the scene with Akito and the old man. I felt like being wide at that moment haha. Some of you may be thinking why I'm focusing on Nao's acting career while hardly anything has been mentioned with Sana's singing career. Well everything will be explained next chapter. As you can tell, our dear Naozumi is preparing for something huge. And we will move more into Akito and Tsuyoshi's world as the arc moves on. Just have patience please.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. This wasn't supposed to be long but because of all the mishaps, I added five more pages. The next chapter won't be as long… I think. Haha Anyway, let me know what you think!

Glossary:

Tanto- The smallest version of a katana.

Wakizashi- A medium sized katana; about arm's length

As always, here is the preview for the next chapter! Until next time!
-Dark Waffle

Preview:
A new session of school has started, which means that classes have begun! As Sana struggles with school, she also has a HUGE deadline she has to meet. Also, Naozumi has an important announcement that he has been keeping that could change the relationship between Sana and Naozumi forever. And since his arrival, Hayama Akito might have his first lead.

Next time on Two Worlds Collide:

Book 1: A New World: Chapter 17: Secrets