Part 8: Work Out



Sage and Hotaru hurried into the gym and found their Sensei already to begin. They hurried over to a line of student, one of which was Kimza. Sighing Hotaru sent a look at Sage. "She's in here?"

"It's worse for me, remember? I'm the one that they're chasing." Stifling a giggle Hotaru brought her attention to the teacher.

"Good morning class." He greeted.

The whole class bowed as one and called, "Konechi wa Sensei-Taino."

"In one second we'll get teamed up and start Kendo. But first, I want to say that one of the new students is joining us. This is Tomeo Hotaru." He motioned to Hotaru.

"Konechi wa." Hotaru said softly.

"Now Miss Tomeo, why don't you join Sage since he's an expert at Kendo. He's actually the national champion of the last four years. Won't you be going to the World competition?"

"Hai." Sage said.

"All right then, let's get going. And the teams you have today will be the teams you'll have throughout the rest of the semester."

So saying the class hurried to get into teams of two. Hotaru drew closer to Sage and smiled up at him. "You didn't tell me you were a national champ." She smiled.

"I don't think to mention it."

"I'm glad I'm with you Sage." She whispered.

Sage glanced down at, 'Damn me. I can't believe I'm really falling for her. I've only known her for a day. Less even. Damn me. Myself. And I.' "Have you ever done Kendo?"

"No."

"Then I'll teach you." They walked over to a bench and put on the protective covering. Drawing two wooden swords out he handed one to her.

"Ready?" Sage asked.

"Hai." Hotaru answered.

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Study Hall...... First Block



"Mina."

The blonde's headshot up as Cye watched her. "Hey." She smiled, her blue eyes shimmering with reflections from the light. It made Cye blush lightly.

"Hi. Are you having a good time so far?"

"I think so."

"Think so?" Cye smiled softly. "Ready for pictures later?"

"Pictures?!? Nani?" Mina stood fast from her seat.

"Yes. We always have them for the year book, our i.d.'s, and group pictures if we want them." He sighed. "Their not that much fun. But the guys and I have them every year."

"I like pictures." Mina said thoughtfully. "I want to be an actress or a singer when I grow up. My dream." She sighed wistfully. "And to be married to someone I love and have a family."

"That's a nice dream." Cye said softly.

"I think so. But first I gotta get though school." Her eyes lost the dreamy look and went back to their regular color. "I wish I could get a wonderful guy now, though." She glanced up at Cye, who was watching her intensely.

"Um. Cye?" She blushed.

"Yes?"

"Are you looking at me that way cause ya see something you like?"



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Science Class, first block.



Serena, Amy, and Ryo sat in science class listening to the teacher go over the rules again. "Even in our dimension the rules are the same; boring." Ser murmured.

"Hai." Ryo said lazily. "They're boring anywhere."

"Rules help us." Amy said softly.

"Rowan is the only one who'll agree with you." Ryo said. "He likes playing by rules and such things. Nose stuck in the books, wide vocabulary, etc." He motioned with his hands to further his point. "If ya get my drift?"

"Hai." Amy murmured, "But he's nice, he's not a "smarty pants" as most people would say." She huffed; more from the fact of actually defending someone she didn't know then Ryo's criticism.

"Take it easy, Amies." Serena rolled her eyes, "Just because that description fits you too isn't a reason to get defensive. Or is it because you've gotta crush on Rowan?" She teased.

Amy opened her book, and ignored the two warriors besides her.

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Back in Gym, first block....



"Need a break?" Sage asked as Hotaru fell to the bench nearest herself.

"Ya."

"How's your side."

"In pain." Hotaru sighed.

"Really?" Sage raised a brow.

"No, not that much. It just aches a bit."

"Hm.."

Hotaru wiped at the sweat that was sliding down her forehead. She was so tired she thought she'd drop from exhaustion. "How do you manage?" She sighed, sending a glance to Sage.

"Practice." He murmured smiling slightly. Sweat had made his shirt cling to him and his hair sparkled with the water he'd dumped over himself earlier. "I thought you said you could fight." He mocked.

"I can. I never said I was the best fighter. Physically, I'm the weakest warrior, though magically I'm the strongest." Taking a deep gulp of water, she let her eyes close. "Plus I have a gash in my side."

Sage chuckled and rolled his eyes. "You just said it was only an ache."

"What class do you have next?"

"Changing the subject?" He asked, taking a seat on the bench next to her.

"Hai." She said sheepishly.

"I'll train you if you want?" Hotaru's eyes cut to his.

"Really?"

"Sure. My family owns a dojo, when I was little I had to get up at dawn and train till noon with only a bowl of rice to eat. It's hard." His eyes got a far away look to them as he stared off into space. "I was always seeking my family's attention, but I could never do enough for them. I was the half Americano boy. My grandfather didn't approve of me, I looked different, I was different. But I tried, tried to fit in."

Hotaru felt the need to comfort him, slowly; she reached up and touched his arm. "Sage."

Sage looked down at her, "I'm fine."

"Okay." She sighed and would have pulled her hand away had it not been for his that covered hers.

Sage smiled slightly, "Are you sure you aren't an enchantress?"

"Why?"

"You've made feel different."

"Oh." Hotaru murmured, not quite sure what to say. She leaned slightly against him and rested her head against his shoulder.

Kimza glared from across the room as she saw her Sage letting that that new girl cling all over him. "Tomeo is going to die."