Disclaimer I do not own Angelic layer, Clamp do.



Chapter One – A New Angel

Hotaru ran inside her house with tears of fury running down her face. She couldn't believe that Kazuko could get under her skin so. I mean Kazuko had been Hotaru's best friend for ages but them at the first sign of trouble had ditched her. It wasn't Hotaru's fault she wasn't into make-up or keeping up with the latest cool thing in fear of being left behind. She couldn't give a damn. She didn't mind people who just like those things but she hated those who just liked them to fit in. It wasn't as if she even wanted to be friends with Kazuko anymore but she could say the exact thing to upset Hotaru and irritate her. The phone rang, "Moshi, moshi. *" Yasu was on the other end. Yasu was Hotaru's present best friend. She'd always been there for Hotaru backing her up. "Hey, I've got a surprise for you." "Huh?"

"Call it an early birthday present." (Hotaru's birthday wasn't for another week.)

"What?"

"Meet me at Piffle Princess in half an hour."

"Listen Yase, I'm not in the mood for watching. I've just had a rubbish day."

"Listen, meet me there or I'll attack you!"

"Okay, I'll go for the sake of my life," Hotaru chuckled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Later



Hotaru ran like mad. She was late as usual. Yase was waiting smiling. She was quite different to Hotaru. Hotaru had light brown hair and Yase had dark brown. Hotaru had misty blue eyes and Yase had brown/amber eyes. Hotaru was pale and Yase was tanned. "What's this all about, Yase? What's going on?" Yase smiled mischievously and started to hum softly. Hotaru was shocked she was humming, Happy Birthday to You. Yase reached into a Piffle Princess bag and drew out two angel eggs. "Here ya go!!! Happy Birthday!" Hotaru's confused expression turned into a huge grin. "You never bought me my very own angel?"

"Yes!"

"You realise I can't pay you back."

"Since when do you pay for birthday presents? I'm sorry but I have to go now. I snuck out of the house but I couldn't wait to buy our angels. Enjoy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~That evening



Hotaru stared at her angel. It was a green doll but soon it would be an angel. She placed a dark black wig on the angel and cut it to shoulder length. Then placed her on her angelic layer laptop. She set the parameters so her angel would be an endurance type. Name: ~I think her name should be something inspiring~ thought Hotaru. ~I'll name you, Inochi. it means life. You are a new beginning, a new start. I won't be embarrassed about who I am. I am Hotaru. I have friends and I'll never give one hoot about what Kuzuko thinks ever again!!!" Inochi's blue eyes opened and she stared peacefully at Hotaru. Hotaru's soul had awakened.

*Moshi, moshi is said in Japan when answering the telephone.

Authors note: So what do you think for a first chapter? Please review.