A/N: I got a lot of feedback from last chapter and I'm so happy I did! :D I knew a lot of you would like the chapter. It was one of my favorites!

By the way, this chapter is totally unedited and there are mistakes everywhere, but I didn't want to go back and edit them before I posted this. So bare with me, okay? I'll probably go back and fix this later. Anyway, to the story!

I don't own Kodocha or any of its contents.

'Thoughts'
"Speech"
"Flashback/Dream"

Two Worlds Collide: Book I: A New World: Chapter 19: Curtain Call

-O-

"Sometimes, the more things change,
the more they stay the same.
And sometimes, oh, sometimes, change is good.
Sometimes, change is… everything."
-Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

-O-

"Faster."

He grunted as he gripped the hilt of his katana tightly, locking his shoulders tightly, and taking a careless swing at the practice dummy in front of him.

"You're moves are careless, young one."

He glared fiercely at the half cut dummy which dangled off the pole. The arm was sliced off, but he had missed the most vital part when attacking with an approach to kill, the heart. If this was a true enemy, he would have only disabled him.

"Do it again."

He inhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders making him rigid. He felt tight, suffocated. the grip was wrong. His stance was wrong. His sharp focus was wrong. Everything that could go wrong, was wrong. He ran towards the armless dummy and with a yell, aimed for the chest.

"Ahhhh!" He took a swing at the dummy, only to come to crashing halt, his entire body going rigid. His blade was embedded into the pole, notifying the young blonde that he had swung much farther than he should have.

A careless mistake like this could leave him dead in the battlefield.

He seethed through his gritted teeth as he pulled his katana from the wooden pool. His breaths were short and raspy and the sweat rolled down the sides of his already sweat stained blonde locks.

"You are troubled, Hayama-san."

Hayama Akito looked at the old monk he had met only a short two months ago, on New Year's Eve. Ever since that visit, he had come back frequently to observe the beauty of the blades and though he wouldn't admit it, the presence of the older man who ran the shop. There were hardly any customers, but Hayama preferred that. It gave him time to talk to the old man, though the monk had often talked to him in riddles.

Not only that, the monk had offered to oversee any types of training Hayama wanted. He didn't disagree. He needed to stay sharp on his skills and what better way to practice than in this presence?

This monk made him think of home. The presence was familiar of his old sensei that taught him everything he knew about the blade and swordsmanship.

"I'm just frustrated." He commented.

Senju Oki sighed as he blew the steam away from his newly brewed tea. He saw sitting comfortably in the lotus style, watching as the young man in front of him breathed heavily with a permanent scowl adorning his face.

"Frustration only leads to anger. And that anger will block any rational thinking from this point onward."

The boy shot him a glare. The air around the young blonde was dubious the moment he stepped into his shop. He was clouded with scattered thoughts and his spirit was confused. The first time he met the boy, he could tell his soul was damaged and through his vibrant golden eyes, could tell that he lived a strenuous life. The secrets the young boy held, he didn't know.

"I know that! I'm just conflicted!" Hayama stabbed his black blade into its sheath stubbornly. He dropped the blade onto the wooden table and sat down in front of the older man, sighing deeply. His eyes were clouded and it was hard to read the emotions he was currently overwhelmed with.

"What troubles you?" Senju asked with a gentle voice.

"Before I arrived here, I knew the responsibilities and burdens I had to carry with me, now and for the rest of my life. I accepted those burdens and lived with no regrets, but one. Being here in this town, around the people here, it's taken away the view of what I once held important and absolute. Duty. Responsibility. Order. Those were the values I held myself too. And now, those values have changed."

Senju Oki sipped on his tea quietly as the young man before him confessed. It was odd, to say the least. When he first watched the boy and his skill with the sword, he was impressed. He hadn't seen anyone wield a blade so gracefully in years. This man, no, this boy, was knowledgeable beyond his years and saw the world for it's true colors. His eyes were cold as ice and full of conviction.

But before him stood a boy. Yes, a boy who finally let the burden on his shoulders pull him down and allow defeat. Absolute defeat.

"Those are wistful values for a boy of your age." Oki commented, "But as we grow from child to man, it is then we realize that values do change. Some for better, some for worse. Eyes like yours believe in logic. You believe in reasoning and definites. There is no emotion, no sympathy, no credibility. Just the truth."

"The truth is always the simplest answer, yes. Only logic can guide you. If you allow yourself to be distracted, you lose focus, edge." Hayama countered.

"That may be true, but you also become ignorant." This Hayama nearly scoffed at. "Ignorance is far greater of an enemy than an actual physical being. Ignorance blinds you. It creates a rift in your mind, your soul. And once that rift becomes too great, you will forever be conflicted between two beings within yourself that will be at constant war in your mind."

He remained still. His breathing was calm and he looked down at his katana with vivid eyes.

"Those values you've held yourself accountable for came with the responsibilities of your burden, so you've deemed them the way of life. But, life changes a man. And thus, it changes his outlook. Values change, beliefs alter. You are at a turning point in your life where you create the type of life you want to follow, the type of life you wish to lead."

"I know what life I want to live."

A small smile graced his pale lips. "If so, we wouldn't be here, would we?"

Silence.

He was sitting in contemplation, breaking his head to figure out what the hell was going on with him. It was all her fault. All her damn fault. She was so damn infuriating and noisy and addicting. She made him forget. She made him feel something he hadn't felt in over ten years. And she made him want to tell her. To tell her everything.

"Sometimes, in this case, Hayama-san, change is good."

"I don't want to change. What don't you understand? I liked where I was before. Things were simpler."

"If you did not want to change, these new beliefs would not have settle within your mind. Your mind would have rejected them and you would have remained the same as you had been."

"Tch." Maybe, he had. Maybe, he wished for something more than what he already had. But that was selfish. Who was he to ask for more than what was already given to him? Everything given to him was ripped away in front of him. Why would he want to endure something like that again?

"And change is not as it seems." Oki smiled gently at him.

"What's that supposed to mean? Change means everything. Even the simplest of change could alter the life you once knew."

"Compromise, Hayama-san. Compromise."

"Compromise?" He questioned, titling his head to the side slightly. Compromise? He's never indulged in a compromise, he thinks. It was always absolute.

Oki sipped from his tea, an almost cleansing air emitted from him. Hayama enjoyed this older man's company. Unlike him, he was gentle and kind, wise beyond his years. He was warm and intellect in swordsmanship. He was also very observant and keen, despite his age. The monk emphasized the importance of connection with oneself and your own being. He was also very spiritual and heavily connected with nature.

"Yes, compromise. Not do you need to rid of your past values, but simply, compromise. Connect these new beliefs of yours to that of your old. Connect and ingrain them, reconstruct charitably. Learn in how they could balance each other and what self worth they hold to you, what they could benefit to you."

"Friendship. Commoderaty. Selflessness. Family. Generosity. Love. All values of noted worth. You seemed to be missing these in your list, Hayama-san." The older man was taunting him with a small smile. "Duty to yourself and to others. Friendship and Family are you responsibility. Order in that you remain humble and modest while giving to those in need. Wouldn't you agree?"

Hayama nodded, slowly. Truth be told, he had long ago abandoned those old beliefs and values of his. He had found something more to hold onto, something more important.

"Have you come to a resolve? Your spirit is much calmer now."

Though the old man was wise, he was also senile and like he said, old.

"Yeah, I have." Pushing himself up on his knee, he stretched, feeling the ache of pushing himself too hard. He grabbed his precious blade and flung it over his shoulder. "See ya, old man."

"You're welcome, Hayama-san."

-O-

"Would you stop fidgeting? It's annoying."

She shot him an angry glare as she stuck her tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes, scoffing at her immaturity.

"I can't stop it, okay? I'm just really nervous!" She yelled, slamming her hands down on her desk. He sighed with annoyance and resisted the urge to plug his headphones in and walk away from her entirely.

"You shouldn't be. You forced me to tutor you." He leaned back and looked out the window, wearing his stoic facade. It was a beautiful day in Tokyo.

"I didn't force you! I was getting help from Tsuyoshi and then you came in and started yelling at me for all the things I did wrong!" Her hazel eyes burned with fury as she argued with him.

"Obviously you weren't understanding it, because if you did, then you wouldn't have been complaining so much." It was days like these where he wished he could be in solitude. He missed the days where solitude was his best companion.

"What-ev-er!" Kurata Sana slumped back against her chair, biting down on her lip. "For your sake, you better hope that I did well on this stupid test."

"Oh, I'm shaking with fear." Hayama Akito replied with much sarcasm in his voice. The auburn haired girl threw him another glare.

Sasaki Tsuyoshi sighed as he watched his two friends argue. Their petty arguments were an everyday thing now, with Hayama either harassing or teasing the young auburn singer. While it was amusing at first, after a while, it had become a slight irritation. Though he wouldn't say that outloud, not if he wanted to live a long life.

"Stupid perverted lone wolf! I'll get you for that!"

The brown haired medic couldn't suppress his laughter as Sana reprimanded his blonde haired captain for his indecency. She was sporting a bright blush as the stoic boy shrugged his shoulders and leaned back against his seat.

But in the end, he couldn't be more thrilled in the events that have taken place. His best friend was coming back. The young, outgoing Hayama Akito he met all those years ago was beginning to show himself again. At first, he hardly noticed it. But then his captain would do small things here and there, things he hadn't done in a very long time.

And he had Sana to thank for it all. She was slowly bringing him out of the darkness, out of the walls he had put up.

"Tsuyoshi-kun?" The brown haired medic looked up to see his wonderful girlfriend that he had fallen so hopelessly in love with.

"Hey Aya." He gave her a gentle smile.

"What were you just thinking about?" The sandy brown haired girl asked him with a giggle. She wasn't sure if he knew it, but he was adorning this far off look on his face, one full of content.

"Oh," he blushed slightly, "I was just thinking about how Akito has really opened up since he started getting close to Sana."

Sugita Aya nodded with a wide smile. "Oh! Indeed! Hayama-san really has opened up! I remember when the two of you first arrived here, he was so frightening and intimidating! Well, he is still intimidating." A light giggle escaped her pale lips at her last words.

"WHOO-HOO! I PASSED!" Both teenagers shifted their attention towards the energetic girl. She was jumping in her seat as her face filled with excitement.

"Yeah. With my help." Tsuyoshi heard Akito comment.

"Yeah yeah! Whatever jerk! Wipe that stupid smug off your face!"

And with that, the two went back at it, throwing insults at one another. Sana would insult him, Hayama would retort. She would get embarrassed then proceed to call him a nastier name to which he shrugged, making a sly comment. Then after a few seconds of silence, the auburn haired girl would sigh, then begin laughing, causing Hayama to sigh in annoyance at her change in attitude. She would then strike a conversation, in which she would do most of the talking. But every now and then, he would say something. And sometimes, she didn't agree and the process would start over.

"They've both come a long way from where they both started. Though, I have to say, Hayama has really let go of that cold shield."

"I'll say!" Tsuyoshi started, surprising Aya with his sudden pitch in voice. "It's nice to see him actually enjoying himself. He's been too cold for too long." Aya didn't miss the sad sigh as his eyes fell.

She concluded that whatever happened in their past had really changed their lives drastically.

"Hayama use to be somewhat of a boss monkey." Tsuyoshi chuckled as some of his most precious memories raced through his mind. "It's like I've said before, he'd lead us into all kinds of trouble! But, he was very faithful to us and took the fall all the time. Though he seems like a complete stoic, cold hearted person, Hayama is very loyal and a great friend. He's the type of person you can count on when things get bad."

"You care a lot about him, don't you Tsuyoshi-kun?" Aya grabbed his hand as she looked over at him.

"He's my best friend. He became my friend when no one else did. I promised I would always repay him for everything he's ever done for me." The ashy brown haired girl squeezed his hand in comfort.

"Sana is very good at getting through to people. It's just this gift she has. She doesn't give up. I don't think she knows how." A giggle, "But she is very headstrong and confident in whatever she does. Though Sana's grown up in a well situated environment, she is able to sympathize with people well, to understand them. There's a light in her that burns strongly."

"Which is why I think that they are perfectly compatible with each other. Sana brings out the light Akito lost a long time ago."

With that, they both smiled as they looked at their favorite pair. Tsuyoshi didn't know where Hayama stood with his feelings towards the young auburn haired girl. He was certainly more invested in her than any other girl he had ever met; which didn't include Hiyori or Saaya. They were his fellow knights. He made a mental note to himself to ask him later.

"Hey! I just came up with the best idea!" Akito shifted his dark golden eyes towards her, his stoic demeanor remained the same as it always had been.

"Since you helped me pass my test, I propose we go get some sushi!" His eyes went wide as she smiled brightly at him. She was going to buy him sushi? When was the last time someone did that for him? Sushi was his favorite, as she would now know.

He collected himself as he eyed her carefully. Her long auburn locks fell on her small frame, her bangs pinned back. With her hair cascading down her shoulders, her light peach skinned face was framed nicely. He could feel his heart rate pick up. He bit back a groan.

"So what do you say?" She was still smiling at him. That stupid, angelic smile that made his stomach churn.

"Yeah. I don't hate that idea." He muttered as he turned away from her, fighting the blush that tried rising to his cheeks. He was absolutely against that.

He was absolutely against everything she made him feel. He was against everything she stood for and was. Yet, it wasn't enough. And he wanted more, which was a change. He never felt this urge before. This want. As each passing day when on, he felt himself change. Change into something wasn't. Change back to what he was before. And he couldn't have that. Not again.

Yet, despite all these confusing feelings and thoughts, who was he to turn away sushi?

"Yippee!" She shouted, "Hey Tsuyoshi! Aya! Wanna come get Sushi with me and Hayama?" Hayama heard her call out to their friends. He thought he heard Tsuyoshi said yes, but he wasn't sure as he turned up the volume to his iPod.

Sana turned to ask Hayama what time they wanted to meet up, but he already had his earbuds plugged into his ears. 'Baka lone wolf.' She thought to herself as a small smile graced her pale pink lips.

Her friendship with the silent boy had taken a turn for the better. Though he still taunted her and she continued to insult him, they had become far better friends. She didn't know if the blonde haired felt the same, but she had come to trust this boy. He had proven to be a good friend and person. Despite their previous fall outs, the bond the two shared was different from what she had with anyone else, even Naozumi.

She knew that Naozumi was reliable. He was kind, sweet, gentle and treated her with the utmost respect. But Hayama, well he was the exact opposite of her long time friend. He was cold, rude, pessimistic, intimidating, perverted, and so on. But under all that, he was loyal and fearless. If he wanted too, he could be kind. He was blunt and mysterious, but he was a good person. He hid a lot and she knew that whatever secrets he had once caused him great pain.

And though they were complete opposites, she couldn't imagine him not in her life after all the effort it took for him to let her in. They had a mutual understanding, one that did not need words. And she was glad that he transferred to Jinbou High School.

"Hey. Let's go."

She jumped slightly, not realizing that she had somewhat drifted off in a trance.

"Normally, I'd leave you. But because you said you would buy me sushi, I'm not letting you go."

Sana blushed, feeling embarrassed. "Yeah! Yeah! I know you wouldn't let me, baka! Let's go get your sushi!" She grabbed onto him and pulled him, jerking him out of his standing position.

He decided for once in his life, he would let someone else take the lead.

-O-

The sounds of shrilling screams echoed throughout the walls of the warehouse. No one paid mind to them as they had become a constant thing in the day. Though, they feared that one day, they could be one of those fading screams.

The warehouse workers grunted and groaned at the labor and the harsh treatment of their new boss. But they would never, cross someone as demonic as him. Most of these workers had been affiliated with other gangs and mobs in Tokyo. But this man, no this demon, was nothing like they had ever worked under before.

He was ruthless, cruel, terrifying, patronizing, merciless, and down right evil. He emitted this darkness that had most men running for their lives.

This man was Oshido Ituko.

His eyes were full of malice and as dark as the color black. One look into those malicious eyes spelt the end for one.

And right now, he was not happy.

In fact, he was absolutely livid. He was in rage, annoyed with the pest that worked under him. Annoyed with this damn world. Annoyed with the nuisance he called Hayama Akito.

And his mission in finding the damn princess of the king had been a complete failure. He was raising an umpire under the noses of these pesky earth humans. He was spilling death and creating fear within the underworld of these fools. Yet, he couldn't find a simple girl. Not only that, he hadn't located his most hated rival.

There was a soft knock at his door and he growled, getting ready to decapitate the intruder of his thoughts.

"S-sir." In came a man, one he hardly recognized.

"And what is so damn important that you had to interrupt me, fool!" The jet, black haired man slammed his fist down on the table, scaring the man in front of him.

"Yo-You have a visitor, sir!"

The evil knight narrowed his eyes, drawing back in his chair.

"A visitor?" He questioned with a suspicious eye glare.

"Yes! He claims to have information for you!" Ituko rolled his eyes as he scoffed, sitting upright. 'This had better be good.'

"Send them in."

The frightened pest scurried off and in the next second, another presence filled his office.

"I hope you have good news for me, Roku."

The man named Roku walked up towards his superior's desk and spread a few files across the wooden table.

"I looked into what you wanted me too, sir. I searched through some of the archives I have and there wasn't many sixteen year old females by the surname of 'Gojo.' The few I did conjure up, I've placed in these files here, sir. The closest one is at least an hour travel."

Ituko reached for the files and skimmed through each, feeling victorious. Somewhere in these files was the daughter of the feeble king of Alagasean. And once he had her in his arms, there would be nothing stopping him from achieving his dream.

"You've done well, Roku. I am pleased in your service."

The man released a relieved sigh. Ever since his promotion, he had been walking on nails. This man, this monster had asked him to do some scrummaging on a girl he was searching for. And if this malicious man did get his hands on this poor girl, well, he didn't want to think about the absolute misery she would be facing.

He was well known in the underground for his tracking skills, so when this dark, evil man caught whiff of his skills, he was automatically promoted. Of course, his long time partner, Kuzo was against it, but Roku knew he had no choice in the matter.

It was life or death.

"If there isn't anything else, sir, I will take my leave."

The onyx eyed man narrowed his eyes at his tracker. He could see the fear in this man's eyes. He mentally grinned, feeling high off the aura he emitted. Striking fear into the hearts was his favorite feeling of all.

"Actually, Roku. I have another assignment for you."

Roku inwardly sighed. He was hoping to be done working for this snake.

"I need you to use your excellent tracking skills one more time."

The man raised a brow. Another poor soul to feed to the dragon, he thought as Roku leaned forward on his desk, hands intertwined with one another. The pleased scowl that adorned his face earlier disappeared. Instead, now there was a deep glare etched into his pale face. His brows furrowed and his eyes were full of hate and scorn.

"Find me everything there is to know about Hayama Akito."

-O-

Tsuyoshi was feeling exhausted after a long day. His green scrubs were covered in blood and other filth. He rested his head back against the rough wall as he closed his eyes. He forgot how strenuous the medical life once was. Having been in this world for four months now, it was a long break from the once busy life he had back in his hometown. He never fathomed that his skills would have rusted this much in such a short period of time.

He was supposed to go get sushi with his friends, but because the sushi bar was closed, leaving a very disappointed Hayama, he decided to go to the hospital for some more training. The blonde haired captain had told Tsuyoshi of his discovering of the old Katana shop in the mall and his frequent visits with the old man who ran the place. The lone wolf also told him about his training and how he was honing up his swordsmanship skills.

Tsuyoshi wanted to do the same. He couldn't fall behind his captain. That would be unheard of.

Dr. Asuhara did not go easy on him, which the gentle boy appreciated. The only way to improve his skills was to be pushed to lengths he had never been pushed to before. And the doctor did just that. He was constantly scolding Tsuyoshi for his incompetence and his failures, but the Royal Medic took none of it too personal, knowing that failure meant trying again. And try again he did until he improved and soon, mastered the certain skill.

Normally, in this world, for a student to become a doctor, they had to go through various years of training and schooling. This scared Tsuyoshi because he knew that he was still a high school student. Whatever they were doing, was illegal. And illegal activity did not sit well with him.

The doctor assured him that his guidance and teaching was on his own time and no authorities would get involved. That reassured the disturbance in his heart and learning from his mentor became a lot easier.

"Sasaki-san!" Called boy jumped at the sound of his name.

The older doctor came running into the room, gauzes and bandages in hand.

"Hurry boy! We have an emergency!" Tsuyoshi immediately nodded and chased behind his teacher.

When they got to the next room, there was a man clutching on his hand, howling in pain. There was blood everywhere as it continued oozing from the man's hand in front of him. Taking a closer inspection, he saw that several of his fingers were dangling from the base of his hand and the bone was cut solidly. Tsuyoshi mentally smirked. He had seen plenty of these types of injuries in his life.

"Grab me the alcohol and rinser! Also, I need the antibiotic and 3 inch syringe!"

He nodded, hurrying into the supply room, grabbing all his mentor had asked of him. When he returned, he was ushered to the other side of the man and asked to squirt alcohol on the wound to cleanse for any type of infection.

The icy blue eyed doctor injected the antibiotic, then motioned for Tsuyoshi to sow the fingers back on. Of course, he was ecstatic and did them with a concentrated smile plastered on his face. It was weird to say, but he had been longing for this type of rush for some time now. He knew he was good at what he did. And when his teacher trusted him to do so, he felt absolutely confident in his skills.

Once Tsuyoshi sowed his fingers back together, they called emergency to take him. With a content sigh, he smiled as he knew he had done good work for the day.

"Well done my boy! Excellent job as usual!" Tsuyoshi grinned, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Ah, thanks Doc! I have a good teacher." The old doctor smiled gently at his young apprentice. He knew talent when he saw it, but the potential this boy had astounded him. The doctor knew the boy would be great in the years to come.

"Come now, son! To celebrate we go! Off to the bar!" He grabbed the glass eyed boy by his shoulders and dragged him along with him.

"Dr. Asuhara! I'm not old enough to drink!"

-O-

The powerful gust of the icy winds had since calmed with the winter season ending, leaving a nice warm setting to welcome the beginning of spring. It was a nice change from the bleak, winter air that scurried throughout the city. The nice breeze and warm sun was a lot more welcoming.

Basking in the warmth of sunlight, Hayama Akito stood, patiently waiting for a certain energetic, obnoxious auburn haired teenager who had agreed to repay him for the sushi he didn't get last week.

He sighed, his empty stomach speaking out to him. The train station was strangely lonely for a Saturday. Over the course of the four months he's been here, he's learned how this world developed and functioned. It was more rambunctious than back home. And loud. And more annoying. But he had to make do with what he had.

"Hayama!"

'Finally.' He rolled his eyes, looking over at the auburn haired girl who was waving over at him with that impeccable grin adorning her pale lips.

"Took you long enough." He commented as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

She furrowed her brows, crossing her arms out in front of her, pushing up her underdeveloped chest. He strayed his eyes away from her. He couldn't act like a hormonal teenager. He was past that. He was more mature than that.

"Why is your chest so small?"

Well, almost.

sana turned red from embarrassment, covering herself up as she threw a venomous glare his way.

"Stupid, perverted cheetah! Keep your eyes somewhere else!" And then, she hit him across his head with the stupid toy hammer that she kept hidden. They threw insults back and forth at each other until the train had finally arrived.

When it did, she left him behind, standing as far as she as she could possible. He rolled his eyes at her immaturity, grabbing onto the pole to stop himself from falling over. She stuck her tongue out at him before sitting down, turning away from her.

He looked away from her and looked around. That's when he noticed they were the only two in this cart. 'At least I can get some silence for a while.'

Sana bit down on her lip. 'Stupid, perverted, baka Hayama.' She thought to herself, feeling embarrassed by the taunting words of her friend. The energetic girl looked out the corner of her eye, watching as Hayama watched the city pass them.

He was looking as calm and collected as usual with that stoic gaze on his tanned face. In the past 4, soon to be 5 months, she's known the boy, he was always wearing this cold, stoic front. He never showed emotion. The only time she remembered seeing anything other than the apathetic look was the anger in his eyes when she was attacked all that time ago and that stupid smirk he would sometimes give her. Other than that, she hadn't ever seen him with any other emotion.

"Stop staring. I know I'm good lookin' and all, but it's also freakin' me out."

She felt herself go red as he caught her red handed. He gave her that smirk she was starting to see a lot of. "I wasn't staring! And you are certainly not as good looking as you think you are, jerk!"

He scoffed. "The girls at school wouldn't agree."

"Well then they are blind." She stuck her tongue out at him again, making him want to laugh, which is something he never did. He couldn't even remember the last time he laughed. He was always impassive and dismissive over everything. He detached himself from feeling anything. But his girl in front of him made him feel again. She made him want to be different. She made him want to change.

The train came to a stop and Sana jumped from her seat, racing towards the open door. She scowled at Hayama, protecting herself from his lecherous eyes. He eyed her, wondering what was going through her jumbled mind. He shrugged his shoulders as the door opened and stepped out, right behind the girl who ran out before him.

"Come on slow poke! The sushi bar isn't going to be open all day!" Sana smiled, grabbing him by his hand again.

When did she start leading him everywhere?

When they arrived to the sushi bar, Sana pulled Akito towards an open seat and sat him right next to her. She was bouncing in her seat, feeling ecstatic. She wanted to just bounce of the walls. She gigged to herself, which confused Hayama. Sure, he liked sushi, but was it really that big of a deal

"What's got you so antsy?" He asked as the waiter placed two menus in front of them.

She beamed at him, grabbing onto his arm. There were stars in her eyes as the grin broke her face in two.

"I made it!" She shouted, gripping onto his arm tightly.

He rose a brow. "Made what?"

If this had been anybody else, she would have felt disappointed and dejected. But because it was Hayama Akito out of all people, she gave him a hopeless smile, followed with a slight laugh.

"I made it through the first round of the competition I participated in!" She rambled so fast that he almost didn't catch it. Almost.

His eyes went wide, remembering back to conversations he had heard between her and Tsuyoshi, to the advertisements and TV ads he would see all over. She was participating in that? He didn't even know she could sing.

"I got the call yesterday!" Her smile radiating and eyes bright, "I was in the living room when Rei came bursting in through my door!"

Sana watched with wide eyes as her long time friend and manager Rei stumbled into her living room, sweat trailing down the corners of his forehead. He was breathing heavily and his usually, polished suit was in disarray.

"Whoa! Rei! You alright?" She jumped to her manager's side, helping him balance himself. "Mama! Rei's going to need some water!"

"Sa-Sana!" He shouted through a raspy voice. She jumped.

"Geeze Rei! Warn me next time you're going to yell into my ear!" She stuck her finger in her ear, trying to stop the ringing.

"Yo-you made it!"

Her mind stopped, which was odd because her mind never stopped. Her heart rate began to increase and her mind was slowly picking up again as the words that just left Rei's mouth began to form an understanding.

"I-I what?" She whispered in disbelief.

"I just got the call! You- You made it through the first round Sana! You made it!" The smile on Rei's face broke his tired state. He was grabbing onto her shoulders as he looked into her shocked hazel eyes. Her mouth was hanging open as the words processed through her mind.

'You made it' 'You made it' 'You made it' 'You made it' 'You made it'

A small smile made it's way through her lips until finally, the grin broke through and she jumped on Rei, small tears in the corner of her eyes. She was laughing, feeling so happy. Joy and happiness was coursing through her veins and the adrenaline was rushing through her body.

"I MADE IT! I MADE IT!" She kept chanting as she embraced Rei tightly. Rei was cheering right next to her as they sat on the floor, overjoyed with Sana's accomplishment.

"So yeah!" She explained, before ordering the sushi. Hayama had already ordered two plates and was eating them faster than she had ever seen anybody eat anything before.

He swallowed the roll in his mouth before he spoke. "You can sing?"

She sweatdropped, then punched the blonde haired boy on his arm. "Yes! I can sing, baka!"

Sana glared at him as he rubbed his arm. Hayama wouldn't admit it out loud, but the girl could pack a punch, though it didn't hurt all the much. He was just sore from his training.

"Well, excuse me. I didn't know you could." He defended, stuffing another roll into his mouth. He swallowed again. "So you're good?"

The waiter set Sana's plate down. She grabbed at her sushi with her chopsticks, but not before pointing at him with the sticks and giving him this pointed look.

"I'd say I was." A cheeky grin followed before stuffing the sushi in her mouth.

"Sing."

Her eyes bulged, dropping the chopsticks and coughing from the sushi that was making it's way down her throat. She reached for her drink, taking a drink to stop herself from choking.

"What?" She asked, not believing the words out of his mouth.

"Sing. With words. That come out of your mouth." She frowned, getting the urge to hit the rude, condescending boy in front of her. He was nonchalantly eating his sushi as if he didn't have a care in the world. He had to be on his fifth plate at the rate he was going.

"Right now?" The auburn haired teenager eyes went wide, a blush staining her cheeks.

"Duh." The lone wolf replied.

"Why now!?" She exasperated. She quickly skimmed the room to see how many people were around. She could sing something small. Did she want too? Most of the time, yes. She wouldn't mind. But it was different when Hayama asked her. She didn't know why. But having those golden eyes locked on her while she was singing would be a very big distraction.

"Because I want to see for myself if you are good." His tone was indifferent and his eyes were lazy.

"You don't believe me!" Sana pounded on the table, glowering at the blonde haired boy. He shrugged his shoulders, something that ticked her off even more so than she was already.

"I just want to see for myself." A small smirk played on his lips as he stuck another sushi roll into his mouth.

The amateur singer narrowed her eyes as she watched the boy in front of her. 'So he wants play that game huh?'

A smirk reached her lips, surprising him slightly. He rose his brow, wondering just what she was thinking.

"Alright then. I'll sing for you, Haya-jerk! I ain't no wuss!" A confident smile played on her lips as the light burned strongly in her hazel eyes.

He didn't expect any less from her.

"Hayama?"

Before Sana had the chance to even start, a voice called out to Akito. Both figures turned towards the stranger. Both teenagers went wide eyed. Akito because it had been the girl he suspected to be the princess and Sana because it was the same girl she had seen with her friend beside her.

"It is you! Hey!" She smiled at him and ran up to him. He inwardly growled, upset with the interruption.

Sana watched as this girl went up to him, slightly baffled by the fact that she looked a little like herself. Her hair was a lot darker than hers, and her skin more pale. The only significant difference was the difference in eye color. While Sana's were more hazel, this girl's were a dark brown.

"Didn't take you for a sushi guy! Are you here alone? Mind if i join you?" She asked all in one sentence. He glared at her, wanting to wring her for interrupting his time with Sana.

"No. I'm not alone. And no, you can't-"

"Hi! I'm Kurata Sana! But you could just call me Sana." He shot a glare at Sana as she interrupted him before he could tell this girl to go away. Kaori shifted her focus from Akito to Sana. Sitting next to the blonde was a girl, who Kaori resembled her a lot! This must of been the girl he said she looked like, she thought. Sana stuck her hand out with a smile on her face.

"Oh. Oh. We're you on a date!?"

Both teeangers went red and rigid at Kaori's words.

"What?! No! No! Heck no!" Sana defended as her cheeks burned with an intense red flare. "I would never go on a date with this perverted wolf!"

"Hey. Watch it." He seethed, through his teeth. The auburn haired girl threw him a teasing smile.

"Well you are! Why lie about something that's true!"

Kaori watched as they fought back and forth, slinging insults at each other. She was surprised to see the blonde haired boy so relaxed and nonchalant. When she met him, he was cold, rude, and heartless. He never showed an ounce of emotion or even looked like he gave a damn in the world when she spoke to him.

But with this girl, Sana, he could see him get all worked up, his eyes dancing with mischief. She could see the corner of his lips tug at what could either be smile or smirk. And the glares he gave Sana were as frightening as the one he gave her, but this Sana girl was not scared. She kept going at him, not backing down.

"ANYWAY, yeah! I'm Sana! Sorry if this guy was ever a jerk to you. He is so inconsiderate of other people's feelings!"

Kaori giggled. "It's okay! I'm Kaori. I doubt Hayama even bothered mentioning me."

"No, he didn't. But it's all good!" Sana padded down on the stool next to her, signaling for Kaori to sit down. "Come join us! We were just celebrating!"

Kaori shifted her focus to the blonde, who gazed at her with this cold, searching look. That light in his eyes from earlier had vanished. She bit down on her lip, not sure if she should interrupt or not.

"I-Uh-maybe I should go..."

"Nonsense! We have lots to celebrate for!"

And so Kaori did. She and Sana talked most of the time, with Hayama at their side. Kaori learned of Sana's achievement and praised her, congratulating her. She too, asked Sana to sing for her, in which the young singer had no problem doing so. But Hayama was against it and told her no. That lead to them fighting and Kaori watched as Hayama's eyes light up again and him shed his cold front.

And when it seemed like time barely moved, an hour had passed and Kaori had to leave. Before she left, she waved goodbye to Sana & Hayama, who she later learned was Hayama Akito. She turned, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see the golden eyed boy get closer to her, almost protectively.

It was then she realized she had no chance.

Hayama Akito was completely entranced by Kurata Sana.

-O-

"Kaori was nice." Sana said, peeking over at her golden eyed friend. He was walking right beside her, hands in his pockets. He wore that same apathetic look as always.

She could see a small frown settling on his tanned face. He tightened his lips as he grimaced at her comment. 'So he didn't like her?' She thought to herself as she thought back to Kaori.

She was nice. But Sana could tell that the girl was frightened and intimidated by the lone wolf. Whenever the girl would talk to him, he bore a permanent scowl and talked rather harshly with her. If Sana had been anybody else, she was sure would have felt the same.

"You know, you could of been a little nicer and all. Considering, she was kind of your friend?" The hazel eyed girl nagged at the blonde. He scoffed.

"She's not a friend. She's just someone I met." He spat back.

The over eccentric girl sighed. "Of course." She snickered a bit. "She was totally scared of you, you know?"

"I don't care." He really didn't. But if she did prove to be the princess, he would be in for a wild ride.

"You really don't care about a lot of things, do you lone wolf?" It was a simple question, one they both knew the answer to already.

"No." 'But I care for you.'

She released a sigh. "Do you care if I sing now?" He stopped walking and looked at her with questioning eyes.

"Why'd you stop walking? And why are you looking at me like that?" Sometimes, she went on too much with her questions, but sometimes, it was necessary.

"Do I care if you sing or not? What kind of question was that?"

She pursed her lips and crossed her arms in front of her. "Well you didn't want me to sing when Kaori was there so I figured you didn't want me to sing anymore!"

He could feel the heat rising to the back of his neck. He didn't want her to sing in front of that stupid girl because he wanted Sana to himself. He wanted to hear her sing and watch her look at him while she did. He wanted her to sing to him and him only. Not to that girl.

But of course he wouldn't tell her that.

"Are you blushing?"

Hayama could feel the heat from his cheeks as he turned away. He bit down on his lip to suppress a groan. He would not let Kurata see him this way. She would never let him live it down. Never.

"Of course not, you idiot!" His voice was agitated and gruffy. She was almost taken aback by the sheer loudness. He voice was always calm and cool. His never raised his voice.

"Oh ho ho! You were totally blushing! Would you look at that? The lone wolf blushed!" She giggled, elbowing him. "And what made you blush, hmm?" She gave him a goofy smile as he quickly looked away. She could see the light pink hue on his nonexistent cheeks.

"Buzz off. You're annoying." He muttered, trying to figure a way out of his embarrassing predicament.

"Yadda yadda. I've heard that before." she waved him off as she walked on in front of him. He smirked, inwardly chuckling at her dismissive attitude towards him.

The fact that she wasn't even frightened or intimidated by him made him want to laugh. For most of his life, people cowered to him. They worshipped the ground he walked so they wouldn't end up on his terrifying side. They would walk on nails with him, obeying his every command.

But her. She was different.

She didn't put up with his bullshit. She challenged him and kept challenging him. He would tug on one end of the rope, hoping she would fall into the middle pit, but instead, she would tug back. She was an annoying girl that put in her two cents where it didn't belong most of the time. She would open the closed door, even if there was a 'Do Not Enter' sign on it, like she did with him.

He was never going to meet someone like her in his life again.

"I didn't hate the sushi. Do better on your test more often." He said as they reached the platform of the train station.

This is where Sana had to translate. Hayama was not a man of many words. Nor did he hand out compliments or apologies all that well. But she become very fluent in 'Hayama language' over the course of the past few months.

The hazel eyed girl smiled gently at the golden eyed boy next to her. "You're welcome."

And in that moment alone, Hayama Akito felt like doing something he hadn't done in 12 out of the 17 years he's lived.

Smile.

-O-

Fires burned through the land, destroying everything it touched. People were running, screaming as shots rang through the air. Blood of the dead and wounded soaked into the earth, giving off a heinous stench that corrupted the land.

Buildings were destroyed, ravaged, broken. Homes that once belonged to those who once lived there were no more. Bodies piled up, day and night. Children became orphans. Parents lost children. Loved ones lost loved ones. No innocent soul survived.

Death filled the air as lives were claimed and screams faded into the dark. Clashing of weapons could be heard in the distance. Cries for help nearby. Weeping for the death was no more. What once was, ceased to exist.

Beautiful, luscious green trees turned to sickly, charred black sticks. The once, extravagant, detailed architecture in shambles. The soft, golden meadows, bare and ruined. The magnificent clear blue sky, tainted in darkness.

The beauty that was once Alagasean was no more.

A/N: Done! Sorry this came out late! I had homework and got caught up with another story that I had worked on during Winter Break called Fallen Star. If you haven't you should go take a look at it! It's a Fairy Tail centric fanfiction with my precious NaLu pairing! It's AU but I think it turned out pretty well!

Anyway, this chapter had a lot going on though I felt like it didn't. If you hadn't noticed, there was a time skip of about a month. And there was more Sana and Akito interaction. Ah, I just love those two so much! Do you guys feel like he's turning more into that anime/manga Akito now? What do you think?

Kaori has a purpose. And you will see what later on. She isn't just some random OC. Though, Akito isn't happy with her, is he?

And Ituko Oshido has made an appearance! Bahaha! He's certainly got a lot going on in his side. And if you don't remember, Roku and Kozu were in an earlier chapter. Chapter 17 or 18 I believe. They weren't just randoms either ;) No one is random here. Everyone serves a purpose! So remember characters!

That last bit at the end, well, I won't say much because I don't want to give anything away.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter though :) Let me know what you think! Have you guys figured anything out? Piece together anything? Made any assumptions? Or just have questions or comments? If so, please drop a little review to let me know! Reviews are much appreciated! AND I'm so close to 100 too! I would totally love to hit the 100 mark for this chapter! If we do, I'll do something special ;D

Until next time!
-Dark Waffle

Preview:
Akito keeps his eye on Kaori, trying to find a way to discover if Kaori really is the long lost princess he had spent so much time looking for. Sana prepares for her first official judging by writing a new song, which she learns is a lot harder than she thought. Meanwhile, Akito feels suspicious of his surroundings. And he finally includes Tsuyoshi in his recent findings.

Next time on Two Worlds Collide:

Book 1: A New World: Chapter 20: Discovery