Author's note: in the last chapter, the episode Akane and Chau come from is with the capture of the storm and float cards. Sakura gets angry with Kero and Kero runs away. Akane, a little child at the time, found Kero sleeping and brought him to her house. "Chau" apparently means "no" but Akane didn't realize that because of her age and mistook it as Kero's name after he accidentally said that word to her.
Sakura rubbed her eyes, awakened by the indirect light coming from the adjoining bathroom. "Li, what are you doing?" Sakura muttered. She peered at the digital clock. It read 3:42. A full suitcase was lying on the bed, open with clothes and some magical items.
"The head of one of the expeditions in China told me they noticed Kim and Mark hiking in some mountains." Li told her from the bathroom. Speed walking into the bedroom, Li clicked the suitcase on the bed together. "I'm going to find them and find out why they stole the artifacts." He didn't liked being dishonored with the investigation lead by the Circle of Archeology. It was very embarrassing to his reputation when he had to say his crew had the artifacts stolen with no way to prove who did it or how. It lead to finger pointing of the people in he worked with and even himself. Going to the other side of the bed, Li kissed Sakura's forehead and left the bedroom, away on his search.
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Allison exclaimed, running up to Sarah on the pathway to school. Her brown hair had grown past her shoulders now. This was the first time Sarah had seen Allison since the last day of school so she knew it was probably some social tidbit Allison wanted to say to her. "You'll never guess who hates Natasha."
Sarah stared at her.
"Who hates Natasha?"
"Yeah, actually you wouldn't know because she moved here over the summer." Allison quickly informed. "Her name is Jennifer. I cannot believe the girl has it in for Natasha when she hasn't even met her."
"Why would Jennifer hate Natasha?"
"Well, you know all about that crush Ronnie had over Natasha." Allison started. That was very old news. Only one out of thirty people didn't know that. "Apparently, Jennifer wanted to go out with Ronnie, but Ronnie wanted to wait for Natasha."
"Oh that's not good." Sarah muttered, thinking about the situation.
"Anyway, you guys came back late." Allison reminded them. "You said you'd be back before the last two weeks."
"Yeah, things came up." Sarah told her. "We had fun toying with Natasha's Uncle Tori's mind, well at least I did." Sarah smiled. "What's this Jennifer like?" Sarah asked, still focused on that topic. "Is there anything you know about her past?"
"She was also on a dance team at her previous school. She can be really snobbish though, definitely not the nicest person you'll meet; she's kinda competitive."
In a patch of clearing, shielded by trees, the wind rustled as an incantation completed, returning the Jump Card to its card form. Natasha's hair was messed up and her red shirt, pink skirt, and blue shorts were all wrinkled and worn. Bringing the star staff back to its key form, Natasha walked through the woods and back out onto the pathway leading towards the school. As she exited the woods, Natasha brushed her hair back with her hands, forgetting her comb at home, not watching where she was walking and almost running into another girl. The girl, wearing a thin white long sleeve shirt and a pink skirt, had short blond hair that curled inward at chin's length. She was as tall as Natasha. The girl's blue eyes looked at Natasha, seemingly asking what kind of disaster happened to her, examining Natasha from head to toe then back.
"Hello." Natasha said with a smile, feeling embarrassed. The girl nodded back, not as enthusiastic about their meeting.
"I don't remember seeing you around here before." Natasha smiled at the girl.
"That's because I just moved here over the summer." The girl replied in a dull voice.
"Ah, I'm Natasha….." Natasha was interrupted.
"You're Natasha!" The girl blurted out, not using the same dull voice. Natasha was confused at the girl's anger. "You don't look so great." The girl pointed out.
"And just who are you?"
"Ronnie never talked to you about me?" The girl inquired innocently.
"We never talked over the summer….."
"Unbelievable!" The girl exclaimed, stomping her right foot on the pathway. "You completely forget about him for the summer and he is still clinging to you like a lost dog."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Natasha told her. "But I didn't entirely forget him." Natasha defended.
"He'll see I'm better than you." The girl said scornfully, walking by Natasha, proceeding on her way.
Natasha was shaken by the experience. She watched the girl walk off. Natasha eyed the Jump Card, deciding to forget about the experience. "A mischievous one, aren't you?" she said to the card, and then continued to school.
Natasha slowly walked through the crowded hallway. Groups of friends huddled together in their own little social circles. She couldn't find hers though. Natasha stared at her class schedule. New classes, new rooms to locate. Natasha turned around to walk in the opposite direction of the hallway. At that moment, she ran right into Kevin. Natasha looked up from where she fell on the floor.
"You should really watch where you're going." Kevin told her in a dull voice. Natasha picked up her class list off the floor then stood back up. "So, this is your school." He said, looking around at the hallways and people.
"Yeah, I didn't know you moved down here."
"My mission." Kevin pointed out. "I'm to follow the cards."
"Right." Natasha answered, going away from that topic. "What's your first class?"
"History."
"Do you need help finding it?"
"No, someone else showed me where it is. He also seemed obsessed with finding you...."
"I finally found you!" Sarah's voice came from behind Natasha. "You by chance haven't met anyone who dislikes you, have you?"
"Not exactly, why?"
"No reason. Oh, Ronnie's looking for you." Sarah changed the subject. The first bell sounded. Large masses of students roamed through the halls, in consistent directions. Going against the current of people would prove close to impossible. Kevin headed off to his class. "Come on, History is this way!" Sarah informed, following Kevin. Turning the corner of the hallway, their history class was the first in the adjoining hall. The last of the students were choosing their seats as Sarah and Natasha ran into the room, followed by the teacher who walked at a steady pace without worries of being late. Five rows of five desks were in the classroom. The only seats left were in the front row, on the side opposite the windows. Kevin was in the third row, second seat from the window, and Jennifer was in the forth row, behind him.
"Welcome to homeroom!" The teacher began. "I'm Professor Nelson. For those who don't know me, I am in charge of activities at the new recreation center and also give informative speeches there from time to time."
"I didn't know there was going to be a new recreation center." Natasha whispered to Sarah. Professor Nelson continued his introduction.
"I did, but I didn't really care. The last one wasn't very good ….." Sarah's response was interrupted.
"Talking when I'm talking, not a good habit." Professor Nelson told them. "What are your names?"
"Ah, Natasha." Natasha spoke shyly.
"Sarah." Sarah told the professor.
"I see I probably will get to know you two very well, along with your parents." Professor Nelson smiled and continued, announcing their beginning in chapter one. Kevin was shaking his head at Natasha and Sarah. Natasha was nervous about Professor Nelson hinting she was a bad person. She hadn't had a teacher who proposed such a thought.
Lunch break began and the cafeteria was stormed by students. Pink and white square tiles composed the walls. Natasha and Sarah met at a long rectangular white table near the door. In the opposite corner of the cafeteria were four round brown tables, where those most popular ate lunch. Ronnie walked into the cafeteria and looked around. Allison snuck up behind him and tickled him at his sides. Startled, Ronnie jumped and a high-pitched squeal came from his shock.
"Well, what are you going to do? You are standing in the middle of the door, at least let me by." Allison told him
"Sorry." Ronnie replied, moving aside.
"Are you that sure Jennifer will hurt Natasha?" Allison asked, following the direction of his eyes.
"You've really got to be careful with Jennifer." Ronnie warned. "She looks sweet and all, but her temper is not something you want against you. A lot of people don't believe me. They're too distracted by the thought of her being a gymnast."
"She seems nice enough at first." Allison said. "Can she really be that jealous?" Allison walked over to the table where Sarah and Natasha were sitting. Ronnie followed her while watching Jennifer. He saw she was watching him as well. Natasha and Sarah were on one end of the table. There was a huge gap of empty seats in the middle of the table, then another group of people at the opposite end.
"I wonder where Kevin is." Sarah was talking with Natasha. "He doesn't know anyone here so I was sure he'd be with us."
"I don't think he likes me very much." Natasha sighed.
"Na, I think that's just what he wants us to think." Sarah told her. Allison sat down at the table.
"I'd better go." Ronnie told Allison.
"You're not staying with us?" Natasha asked curiously. Ronnie gulped.
"Um… I'm not sure… I think….. I have to see my counselor about a class." Ronnie made up. He saw Jennifer get up from her seat and head in his direction. "I'll see you later." Ronnie finished and headed for the cafeteria doors, with Jennifer following him, not too far behind.
"She is new here?" Natasha asked, referring to Jennifer.
"Yeah, why?" Allison asked.
"I met her this morning…" Natasha was interrupted.
"You did!" Sarah gasped. Natasha and Allison eyed her. "I mean, did you like her?"
"She seemed to be angry with me and I didn't even do anything to her." Natasha told them. "Well, I almost ran into her but that's no reason for her to be angry." Allison shrugged. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, be right back." Natasha told them, getting up from the table.
"You know she's gonna find out why Jennifer doesn't like her." Allison told Sarah after Natasha left.
"Yeah, guess we'll tell her when she gets back. What class do we have after this?"
"We have recess next." Allison answered. "Sixth grade has recess after lunch, then our seventh class. Block scheduling is annoying to remember." Allison spoke. On odd days, they had their homeroom, then their third, fifth, lunch and break, and seventh classes. On even days, they had their homeroom, then second, fourth, lunch and break, and sixth classes. Kevin walked into the cafeteria and looked around. Sarah waved at him and he walked over.
"How are you doing?" Sarah greeted. Allison took a sip from her juice box.
"I met a strange character in the halls who got immense pleasure from me pulling his finger." Kevin said with a curious tone in his voice. Allison almost spit the juice out of her mouth, trying to withhold her laughter. Sarah just smiled.
"So you've met Chris." Sarah smiled and nodded. "Best to ignore him." Allison finally managed to swallow.
"I'll see you guys later." Allison got up, still smiling about Chris' joke. "I'll have to talk to Chris about those stupid jokes."
"Where's Natasha?" Kevin asked Sarah.
"She's in the bathroom, why?"
"There's a Sakura Card around here."
"In the school? Why?" Sarah asked.
"How do I know why?" Kevin replied heading to the cafeteria door. Sarah got up from the table and went after him. The hallway tiles were white and aqua colored. The hall itself had dim lights and most of the light came from the windows. The girls' bathroom was across from the cafeteria. The boys' bathroom was around the corner.
"You cannot go in there." Sarah told Kevin, seeing he was headed into the girls' bathroom.
"The Sakura Card is in there." Kevin told her.
"It's the girls' bathroom!" Sarah said. "Have you no decency?" Kevin looked at her.
"Fine, I'll go in and make sure there's no one in there for you to frighten." Sarah said with a sigh.
Sarah pushed the brown wooden door open and walked in. The door slowly closed behind her. Four white sinks were against the pink tiled walls, with mirrors above them, and four black colored stalls across from the sinks. Sarah looked around the bathroom. Only one other person was in there. "Natasha?" Sarah called out timidly.
"Sarah, is that you!" Natasha's voice called back.
"Yeah…."
"I'm locked in this stall!" Natasha said frantically, shaking the stall door. Sarah thought about that.
"I wasn't aware that was possible." Sarah joked.
"Quit laughing and help me!" Natasha ordered. "There's this lock on the door, it's locked. It feels like a Sakura Card but I cannot seal it."
"Yeah, Kevin tells me there's a card in here; would you like me to go get him?" Sarah joked, going back to the door.
"Sarah! You cannot let him in here!"
"Natasha?" Kevin spoke. He observed how much nicer the bathroom was compared to the one the boys have.
"Oh my gosh, she actually let him in here." Natasha said to herself. "Where's Sarah?"
"Standing guard in the hall." Kevin responded. "Where's the card?"
"It's on the door, it won't let me out." Natasha told Kevin. "It looks like a lock…."
"It's probably the Lock Card." Kevin told Natasha. "I'm unaware of how to seal it though….."
"You cannot keep me out of here!" Jennifer's voice came from the doorway. The door cracked, but not enough to see into the bathroom clearly and then closed.
Natasha went into her pocket and pulled out a card. "Water card! Soak the floor!" The water spirit's blue body emerged from the card and crashed onto the floor, expanding and across the floor, appearing as if a pipe broke.
"And why cannot I go into the bathroom." Jennifer asked, annoyed. Sarah was blocking the door. The door opened slightly again, still not enough to get a look into the bathroom. Water glided across the floor out of the bathroom. Both girls looked down at the water covered floor by the doorway.
"Because one of the sinks broke and is releasing water." Sarah said smiling. Jennifer glared at Sarah then continued down the hallway. She turned the corner of the hallway and peered back.
"That girl is doing something weird." Jennifer said to herself, remaining at the corner to keep an eye on what Sarah was hiding. It was now recess time and everyone else was outside, the hallway vacant except Sarah and Jennifer.
In the bathroom, Kevin attempted to break the door with his trident, but a magic force field kept throwing his attacks back at him. "Looks like the only way to get out is to unlock the door." Kevin said, pointing out the obvious. "What kind of key would we use…."
"What about the staff!" Natasha said anxiously. "It is a key after all!" Natasha returned the staff to its key form. Holding it by the star, Natasha slipped the key part into the lock's keyhole. The Lock Card released from the door but right before Natasha removed the key, another force field was emitted which knocked Natasha back onto the wet floor. Kevin opened the stall and the Lock card attempted escape. Swinging his trident at the Lock Card's form, it dropped the key onto the water drenched floor. Natasha grabbed it out of the water and released the staff.
"Hurry!" Kevin ordered.
Natasha pulled out a card she thought she would never need. She remembered Kero told her Clow created it because he was too lazy to give Kero a bath. Natasha acquainted Kero with the invention of a vapor shower; they were more popular than bathtubs. Standing up, Natasha tossed the card into the air above her, "Bubbles! Engulf the Lock in your spell! Release!" Natasha brought the staff up to the floating card, the key spun and bubbles began budding into the air. The Lock went on the move again, flying towards the ceiling, and a swarm of bubbles raced towards it. One by one, the multiple bubbles popped when they came in contact of the escaping lock. Six smaller bubbles wrapped around the lock and merged into one bubble, with the Lock Card inside, now floating in one place, still inside the same stall. "Return to your power confined, Lock!" Natasha called. Natasha caught the Lock Card in her hand as it gliding in the air. She saw Kevin trying to suppress a laugh. "What's so funny?"
"You're all wet." Kevin said smiling. "Come on, let's get some paper towels."
"You've seen these two?" Li asked a local villager. He was in an outdoor market. The place seemed peaceful with its clean air and welcoming sunlight with a picturesque view of the mountains.
"Yes, they come down here once a week." The man told Li. "Usually, they go up that way." The man directed, pointing to a pathway leading into the mountain range.
"Thank you." Li said. He handed the man a generous cash tip went to the trail.
Kevin and Natasha exited the bathroom, Sarah was waiting for them.
"Stop it, I'm dry." Natasha laughed as Kevin attempted to press a paper towel against her back.
"So, this is what you guys were doing." Jennifer's voice came from around the corner, followed by her appearance. Natasha, Sarah, and Kevin all looked at each other, worrying they were caught. "I knew there was something weird about you, Natasha. What will Ronnie think, you hiding a boy in the girls' bathroom?"
"Why are you doing this?" Sarah coldly remarked to Jennifer. "You do have to be this mean…"
"To get what I want!" Jennifer glared at Natasha. "And now, I have power over you and you cannot stop me." Kevin and Sarah just stared at Jennifer as she began to walk off into the hallway, going for an exit to the playground.
"Jennifer wait!" Natasha called, her hand instinctively going out and gently pulling back on Jennifer's arm.
"Did you just touch me!" Jennifer yelled, turning around to look at Natasha. Natasha removed her hand.
"Maybe…."
"You'll pay for that!" Jennifer warned. Suddenly, Jennifer changed expressions. Her eyes glowed red for a second, then her fist swung up and made an attempt to punch Natasha. Natasha dodged the attack and Jennifer's fist met with the wall. The tile cracked and tile fragments separated from each other, crumbling as they dropped to the floor. Jennifer seemed unharmed as she turned back towards Natasha, Kevin, and Sarah. Her eyes were vacant and she was ready to attack again.
"She's possessed!" Kevin warned as Jennifer made another attack at Natasha.
Author's note: Computer says I'm beginning my 7th page here so that should translate to the end of page 5 on the website. Wow that took me a while. I got caught in a writer's block and was too lazy to work around it (lol). I love new characters. Always so much potential for them *sounding obsessed*. Li and Sakura are back too, yea! I didn't forget about him. As for Yue, I am really unsure how to involve him. If I don't figure out soon, he will come into this story very late in the plot. I also tried to make the school environment more realistic. On the show, I always thought it was more idealized. It really was different than things that actually occur at school. So I decided to mix it up a bit. I hope people don't mind. I hope I can write faster next time. What is a constant thought in my mind: If people don't like the cafeteria food so much, why don't they bring a lunch instead of buy it?
Kevin:
Favorite subject: None
Least favorite subject: None
Average grade (on a A,B,C,D,F scale): B+
Best friend: None
Favorite pastime: Playing strategy games
Least favorite pastime: anything unnecessary
Current missions: Capturing the Sakura Cards, guiding/protecting Natasha; changed from defeating Natasha.
Favorite color: blue
Eye color: brown
Hair: black
Magical weapon: A blue trident. Its condensed form is a water drop shaped crystal. Its primary attack is a blue lightning. The trident can be armed with magical cubes allowing a modified attack. The Colorless cube: wind barrier magic, gust attack. Blue cube: whirlpool attack, water throw. Red cube: flame blast, lightning summon. Brown cube: terra-rupture. White cube: flash attack. Dark cube: light piercing darkness.
Most often asked of: Why are you so weird? / What's the answer to this question? (a person asking Kevin, incase that caused some confusion *smiles*.)
Other facts: Kevin is one of few still taught the ways of magic. His group is sort of like magic police. They are sent to seek out and terminate any magical actions of major effect in a time where magic is no longer needed (and is rarely found), but may still be used by anyone evil. Kevin's magic stems from a merging of old and new. It is far older than Clow magic and has been constantly modified over ages, adapting to all kinds of magic encountered. Sent to take the mission to capture the Sakura Cards from Natasha and keep Sakura from interfering, Kevin approached the situation with emotional distance but becomes friendly towards Natasha and ends up helping her than competing with her. Kevin has the ways of self-discipline engraved in his personality; he usually won't participate in social activities with others. He is often seen by himself, studying. Because of that, Kevin is seen as different and tends to be teased by those who don't know him. He can also be cold when criticizing others.
