"Truth or Dare!" Kagome yelled over the slightly drunken crowd. They had
spent most of the night at the restaurant but decided to go back to
Shippo's house and have a 'few' drinks.
"Yeah." Amy squeaked, the most drunk of everyone.
"Me first!" Sango volunteered. She remembered this game from when Kagome had taught them back in the feudal Era. "Okay ummm. Kagome!"
"Dare. " Kagome exclaimed. She knew she could trust Sango right?
"Okay! Show us your mark!" She yelled leaning forward. Kagome eyed her and looked at Inuyasha who nodded.
"I guess." She flipped her head forward and flipped her hair over so they could see the Kanji mark that had been placed on her neck. It read beloved wife.
"Now the other one" Sango exclaimed clapping her hands and gulping down more brandy.
"You didn't say marks you said mark!" Kagome exclaimed blushing slightly at the mention of the other mark. Disappointed glares caught her attention and she sighed. She brought the rim of her dress down slightly to show a bite mark. She blushed ten shades of red before she pulled her dress back up.
"Your turn!" Amy exclaimed.
"Hmmmm... Okay Tony!" Kagome exclaimed pointing towrds the slightly scared man. "Truth or Dare?"
"ummmm.... Truth?"
"Okay what is your hobby?" she asked everyone looked at her not understanding why she would ask such an easy question.
"ballroomdancingandcollectingpinkbunnyrabbits." He mumbled.
"What?" Kagome teased muffling her laughter.
"I TONY MAQUES LIKES TO BALL ROOM DANCE AND COLLECT PINK BUNNY RABITS!"
"You have to be joking!" Inuyasha laughed.
"No! I can't help it I lived with five girls for most of my life." He blushed.
"Whatever. I knew this since I met you now on with the game" April said as she gulped down a bottle of bear which had no affect on her.
"Miroku!" Tony said turning to the monk.
"Dare," The monk exclaimed sticking his chest out proudly.
"If say so dude. I dare you to truthfully tell Sango how you feel about her and kiss her." Tony yelled. He had over heard a conversation between Kagome and April a while back and remember them saying that they loved each other but were afraid to admit it.
"You're kidding right?" Miroku asked. Tony shook his head. "Well Sango you see since the day we met I well... I how should I put this?"
"Get out with it already." Phoenix yelled.
"I LOVE YOU!" Miroku yelled and kissed her before she could react. But as he was about to draw away Sango grabbed him around the neck and pulled him into a deep passionate kiss, therefore creating a make out session between the two.
"Get a room you two!" Chrono yelled.
"You shouldn't be talking" Sango said to cover up her embarrassment.
"My turn!" Miroku exclaimed. "April!"
"Truth." She said calmly.
"What is your darkest secret?" Miroku asked. At this everyone moved forward to listen.
"You can not tell anybody about this understand! "She exclaimed. Everyone nodded and promised not to tell. "You see just over a year and a half ago there was a law passed that only affected Youkai and Honyous. If you were not a registered Youkai or Honyou you were murdered. And if you had done something horrible in the past you were marked.
"Well just when this was passed I had became an assassin and I found that I was very good at it only I had no heart I would kill anything and anyone that got in my way. Well you see I didn't want to register because of family reasons so I took a place of another Honyou, which I had killed. Anyway I was doing this job for this guy and I was shooting at these guys what I had not noticed was that a little girl had wondered far from her home and was heading towards the fight. I should have seen her but I didn't and I shot her killing her instantly. The men that I was trying to kill fled. I remember picking the little girl up in my hands and began to cry. Agents from the government came and took me to a place were Youkai and Honyou are held in cement cells and are marked for their crimes." April brought her right hand up which had the thick white bracelet on it. She slowly took it off and turned her hand over. There on her underarm was a dark black kanji mark, which had a thin piece of skin over it. It looked like it hurt to touch and was even more painful to get.
"This is my worst secret. This mark, a daily reminder of what I did." April said solemnly. A pair of strong arms brought her into an embrace.
"How did they make it under the skin?" Miroku asked.
"It's very painful. The worst pain I ever felt. I much rather take ten pullets to the chest then think about it. First, they inject poisons into your system that slows your healing ability than they burn the skin. After wards they slowly scrap away the abused skin and put the mark on. However, the feeling was different it wasn't like most tattoos. It stung horrible. They slowly pinched the skin until it absorbed the black ink. They left you alone for a couple hours just enough for some skin to heal over it than they pore more poisons on your arm to keep it from ever healing." April said. "It hurts to even touch it. It will never heal fully." She fingered the mark.
"That's horrible." Kagome and Sango exclaimed.
"How come I never heard of this over the news before." Kagome asked.
"It's a federation that only high government officials and Youkai or Honyou know of. They are extremely secretive." Chrono explained.
"It's made just like a normal government with legislative council, executive council and an governor." Phoenix explained. Although Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha were unsure of what they were they were able to gather that the Governor was the highest rank.
"Who's the Governor?" Kagome asked.
"My father." April said bowing her head in shame.
"So let me get this straight." Inuyasha said going over the information she just gave him. "You're a Honyou that has been 'tattooed' or 'marked' because you 'accidentally' killed a human child. Than your father is a governor of a secret government that hates and wants to destroy anyone with Youkai blood." April nodded her head. "Well I thought my life was fucked up."
"Thanks for your support Dog-Boy." April said dryly sarcasm dripping off of each syllable.
"Glad to be of service." Inuyasha said slyly. Kagome smacked him over the head.
"Enough questions. This is a game of truth and dare therefore it is my turn." April exclaimed placing her hands in front of her face to make all quiet. "So who will be my next victim? PHOENIX!" She jumped in front of the boy scaring him silly. The boy looked so scared that they thought he was going to wet himself. April's grin turned evil making the boy scrunch up as small as possible. He knew either way she was going to humiliate him. Everyone looked at the two oddly. How could someone so calm and collected be so frightened by such a simple gesture was oblivious to them.
"Truth or dare?" April asked letting each word role off her tongue slowly and slyly.
"Um... a... DARE!" Phoenix squinted at the smug look on April's face.
"Well let me see..." April looked deep in thought all though the smirk never left her face. She turned to him slowly and motioned for him to come closer. He leaned towards her and turned as white as a ghost when she whispered into his ear. The whisper was so low that even Inuyasha couldn't hear it. Phoenix nodded slowly.
"Phoenix will do his dare later in the mourning." April said calmly as the smirk dissipated from her lips. "Your turn."
"Well..."
The game went on into the early hours of the mourning. Everyone finally went to bed when April announced that it was a school night. Puzzled and unsure of her announcement everyone went to bed and fell victim to a dreamless sleep. Well all except two...
April tossed and turned in her bed. Unable to sleep. For some reason she was having the weirdest sensation that she was being watched but no matter how much she tried she couldn't wake up from her sleep. Her dreams were plagued with horrible nightmares and memories. She kept having flashbacks of the time that Chrono left her. Although, this was a nightly ritual in which she would wake up and fall back to sleep, it seemed more vivid than ever, and was unable to make her self arouse from the deep sleep.
Chrono watched April toss and turn in her bed. He knew he was causing her uneasiness yet he could not make his body get up and shake the young women. He knew she sensed him watching her for he always did. Why she had not wakened up was oblivious to him though. He longed to hold her in his arms and to kiss her, but he knew that she would not allow that to happen. Although they had kissed on the balcony at the restaurant, he knew she was intoxicated before she had arrived. He knew he had hurt her dearly and in order for her to forgive would take a miracle. His reverie was interrupted by a small whimper from April. She tossed and turned violently tossing silent words. He moved closer to hear the words that she called out only to hear his name be called out.
"No... Chrono... Don't leave me... Not again... You promised me... You said you cared for me... I trusted you... I believed you... I let you into my heart again... You broke it yet again... I said I..." She stopped as she sat up quickly and her eyes shot open. Her heart pounded in her ears, It was another dream only more vivid than anything she had ever experienced. She scanned the room and stooped as her hazel eyes met those of green.
"April?" He asked worry evident in his words. Had she been talking out in her slumber?
"Oh umm... Chrono what are you doing here?" She stammered.
"I ummm... Couldn't sleep and I needed to ask you if you had any... Toilet paper that's it! I ran out of toilet paper." Chrono answered.
"That was the lamest excuse ever. Tony even comes up with better ones than that." April said.
"What were you talking about in your dream?" Chrono asked although he knew the answer too well.
"Flashbacks. Past memories of betrayal and pain, that is all." April said anger engulfed her words.
"I heard my name April and I know too well that it was that day I left. But that was so long ago! You have to forgive me April." He exclaimed.
"I have to forgive no one." She spat.
"But what about that kiss at the..."
"That kiss was nothing more than lust."
"Well if that's the way you think of it then explain the desperation and sorrow in your voice when you were dreaming?"
"It was a dream a flashback if you may." April turned her head. "I have never cared for a man more than I had to. I have not let another man in my life due to the sheer fear of being hurt. Do you think I want to be this way? I never feared men the way I do now. I know that some day I shall marry and have children but what if that man hurts me too? I can only be shattered so many times. I fear the next time I am hurt I shall loose all. I have no trust, no belief, no hope, nor a heart. The thing in my chest is stone cold. I was never this way Chrono, NEVER!" She was sobbing at this point she never wanted to talk to him like this but once she started she couldn't stop.
"I am so sorry, April. I never meant to hurt you this bad. I thought if I just left it would save us pain in the long run." He exclaimed but was interrupted by a now enraged girl.
"Cause less pain. Chrono you leaving me with nothing but I'm sorry is the worst than sitting there in explaining the reasons to your departure. I may have forgiven you, I may have forgotten of it. But not till now did I realize how much I regretted not going after you." She giggled lightly. "Grandmamma always said to never regret what you do just to forget the bad memories, to forget all that was done and is unable to be undone. However no matter what wisdom she handed to me she never told me that these forgotten regrets would come back to haunt me. Chrono you did not and still don't understand how much I love you!" April clamped her hand over her mouth once she realized what she said. Chrono eyes widened.
"I now realize that I cause you great pain. But I want you to realize that I love you too, and nothing can change that. I'll leave now." He turned and began to walk down the stairs.
"Chrono, can I ask you a favor?" April asked unsure.
"Of course."
"Could you stay here? Please incase the nightmares come back it's just that I'm so lonely and I need someone close."
"Of course." He walked up the steps silently and sat down in his chair.
"Actually could you sleep right here." She patted the bedding next to her pulling it back so he could get in. He slowly walked to the bed and slipped in, unsure of what to do.
April snuggled into his arms. His scent calmed her as did the warm heat radiating off his muscular body.
"Chrono what I said earlier, I lied. That kiss wasn't lust it was love." April said before falling asleep in Chrono's arms.
"I know April. I know..." He whispered and pulled a strand of hair from her face. Now that he looked closely he noticed how much she had changed in the past while. Her face had thinned and her lips became a cherry red and had become fuller. Even with her eyes closed he knew they held much more wisdom than they once did. He brought her hand up to his face and examined her long tender fingures. Indeed, she had changed very much since the last time they held each other. He knew however, that she was not the women he had knew, he knew that she had killed therefore, surrendering her innocents and for some reason he had a feeling that it was his fault that, that had happened. He never wanted to leave her especially for that woman. He hatted that women with a passion, he could have killed her when he found out that the child was not his and that he had left a life that he loved for a woman he hated. Although it broke his heart to leave the young girl he had help raised but she was a constant memory of better times and why he left them.
He brought April tightly to his chest as a deep sleep took over and calmly went into oblivion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April woke with a start; she felt warm arms and felt that hot breath on her face. From whom, she could not remember. However as she remembered last night's occurrences she snuggled into the warmth. She turned slowly to look at the time. 8:00 AM the clock read and she jumped out of the bed with a start startling the man who slumbered next to her.
"HOLY CRAP I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" She screamed as she pranced through the room digging for clothing and other accessories.
"Hmmm... Good morning to you too." Chrono yawned. "So what are you going to be late for?" He asked confused as he watched her slip on her butt.
"School! If I don't show up today like I promised Shippo I can kiss next week's paycheck goodbye!" She exclaimed as she regained her composer on the floor, and stood up slowly before sprinting to the bathroom.
"But you haven't been to school for forever!" Chrono said becoming interested in the conversation.
"I know but Shippo said if I showed up for school and took a few test I could pass this year with flying colors." She said as she ran to her mini kitchen to make her breakfast.
"What about your guests?" Chrono asked wishing she would just come back to bed.
"Kagome's coming although I'm not sure what Dog-Boy is gonna do. He could come too, I believe Kagome brought it up last night to see if he wanted to come."She said through spoonfuls of cereal.
"I have to go in today too, so I could hang with ya at lunch hour if you want." Chrono said as he slowly got out of bed.
"Suit yourself, but at the moment I must leave see ya." She exclaimed as she ran out the door.
"Oi what took you so long wrench!" Exclaimed an extremely grumpy Honyou.
"I take it you are going? This day gets better and better every waking moment." April exclaimed as she raised her hands over her head.
"April I hope you don't mind but Sango and Miroku are going too." Kagome said.
"I don't care." April sulked as she walked through the door. She took a chain of keys out of her pocket and pushed a button. The garage door opened slowly to reveal many cars. Most were convertibles or motorcycles.
"Are these all yours?" Kagome asked in awe.
"Of course. Shippo doesn't feel safe driving in a vehicle with no roof and there ain't no one else in this house that can afford these." She said as she strolled casually along the length of the garage. "Which car?"
She stopped at one and hopped in. It had to be her favorite of them all. She only drove it when there was no chance of harming the vehicle. It was a black viper convertible and had red flames licking the sides of the car. Not to mention the awesome stereo system.
"April I have a question." Kagome explained as they hurdled down the high way.
"Okay." April answered unsure of what the question would be.
"You told me that you make only 25, 000 dollars for jobs with Shippo but I talked to him and he said you should rethink your answer." Kagome said shyly.
"Yeah I was a tad off. That is about how much you would make as a part time body guard. Depending on my job I make at least 25, 000, 000 dollars." April said. Kagome's mouth fell to the ground.
"Are you serious?" She asked April just nodded her answer.
"HENTAI!"
*SLAP*
"Will he ever learn?" April wondered as she turned the car into the student parking lot. They got out calmly even though all five of them felt hundreds of eyes piercing their way. April became a tad nervous. Maybe she should have worn something different, she thought as she looked down at her wardrobe. She wore black cargo pants, black Vans, a black t-shirt that said 'I'm a Bitch. Deal with it.' That had a white long sleeved shirt under it. She wore thick bracelets on her arms and wore her hair up in a high ponytail. Yet again what else could she wear? She felt the most comfortable in this, although if she had a gun on her side she would be unstoppable.
She looked to her side to find a very stressed Sango. How Kagome had managed to talk her into wearing such a short skirt and a halter-top was beyond her power to comprehend. However it made Sango seem older and more mature in a way. Kagome ware a similar outfit only her skirt reached her knees instead of her mid hip. Miroku and Inuyasha both wore heavy, baggy jeans while Inuyasha wore a red t-shirt and Miroku wore a purple t-shirt.
They walked into the office and were surprised by how quite and calm it was. A petite woman walked up to them and stuck her hand out to Kagome.
"My name is Jamie Rackman I am the principals secretary." She said and shook Kagome's hand. "How may we help you?"
"You can help us by taking us to the old geezer," April said as she walked from behind Miroku and Inuyasha.
"Ahhh... April... How nice to see you... again..." The woman said through strained teeth, motioning to a small room.
"She doesn't seem to like you." Sango whispered.
"Lets just say my record isn't very clean." She said and ignored Sango's confused look.
As they walked into a small room, a chubby bald man stood from his desk.
"What a pleasant surprise April. Shippo called earlier and said that you were going to grace us with your and your friends' presence. Your tests will be held in room 143 and I shall give your friends a tour of the school. I expect you to come and get them from my office at lunch hour. I am warning you if you do one thing that is against the rules I will have no problem suspending you. Since you have left our school has been extremely well behaved and I would like it that you do not ruin this." The man said and motioned for April to leave.
"What ever you say Boss." April saluted and left.
The morning went uneventful especially for April. She was bombarded with exams and as for the others they spent a very long time walking around the large school as Kagome did some work that her school faxed for her.
April was grateful when the bell rang and signaled for the beginning of lunch. She walked to the principles office to find the other four sitting trying not to fall asleep. They walked slowly to the cafeteria not saying a word for boredom had engulfed the five.
"Could you believe that she would actually show her face here again?" April heard a bunch of girls whisper.
"I know, she thinks she oh so high and powerful."
"She's such a bitch!"
"Not to mention a slut."
"We should teach her a lesson for showing her ugly face here."
April turned red with rage and walked up to the girls slowly who glared daggers at her.
"I have a few things to say to you." April said pointing to the group. "It takes a coward to talk to someone like that behind their back, unlike you I am able to say what I am thinking to their face. Second I am not a slut for I wear clothing that covers my body and I do not sleep with every guy I see. Thirdly if you plan to teach a person a lesson talk about it when the person can not hear you."
April spun on her heel but before she left, she gave the group of girls the finger. She dragged the others into the cafeteria and stopped when an idea immerged in her head.
"Stay here, I have to do something." She dashed off.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Kagome said.
"Why?" Miroku asked.
"The look on her face." Kagome pondered
"Yeah it looked as if she was planning something, something bad." Sango said.
"Maybe we should begin to walk in the other direction," Inuyasha directed.
"Wonderful idea..." Sango stopped as she felt a hand cup her behind. "HENTAI!"
**THUMP**
"But Sango..." Miroku whined.
*SLAP*
"I didn't do it." He said innocently. If it wasn't for the gleam in his eye they may of believed him.
*WHACK*
Sango turned and walked away.
"Stupid Hentai," she murmured under her breath. However her attention was attuned to a high-pitched squeal, causing Inuyasha to bring his hands up to his cap and cover it to keep the noise out.
"There's a spider in my salad." A girl screamed. April walked around the corner looking very triumphal as she strolled across the cafeteria.
"You know what?" She said as she came to the group. "Any preppy girl can mistake a fake eyelash for a spider." She finished trying incredible hard not to laugh.
"Pervert!" Rang out across the cafeteria. Everyone turned to look at Sango but Miroku was still standing with no bruise or any sign of being hit. They turned slowly to April, who was practically rolling on the floor laughing to kill her self. Phoenix strolled around the corner with his head hung low and many bruises on his face.
"April?" They all asked at once.
"I'm sorry I couldn't resist myself." She said as she wheezed from lack of oxygen. "Last night for my dare I told him he had to grope any woman he met until 1:00 PM. which is in 30 seconds. Lets say that Miroku was my inspiration."
They looked at her with wide mouths than joined in with her laughing.
"However before this day is complete I must get some revenge." April motioned for all to follow her and she pointed to the principal who was waiting in the cafeteria line for some food. Her hand dived into her pants pocket and pulled out four red balls. "Cherry bombs," was all she said as she pulled the triggers and tossed them. To her amusement, one fell into the mashed turnip, one in the chili, one in the pork and beans and the final unknown mixture of leftovers that looked more like barf than food. Before anyone could react they all exploded spraying food all over the intended target, the principal. However, unknown to April standing next to him was the school intendment and head of the educational board.
April decided that this was a good time for them to depart. She grabbed the others and sprinted out the doors.
"That was way too funny!" April laughed.
"April you could of seriously hurt someone!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Nah! What you really need to watch out for is the Wednesday surprise it has stuff in there that only God knows." April said gripping her stomach.
"You think you're hilarious." Came a masculine voice behind her followed by two strong arms.
"Hey there sweetie." April smiled. She turned her head on a angle and kissed Chrono on the cheek. "So are we going to head to the mountains!"
Everyone stared at April; this was defiantly not the girl they had grown to know. She had a new hop to her walk, a new gleam to her eyes, and a smile that could stop anyone in their tracks.
"Everything's ready. I have your trailer and a couple cars." Chrono said pointing towards the school parking lot. However before anyone thought to move they heard the principal yell April's name.
"I think we should leave or I'll be in a whole lot shit!" April exclaimed as she sprinted to the cars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOLY CRAP! That was a lot. So sorry I haven't wrote a lot lately however I just learned I'm moving to Guelph (Outside of Toronto, Ontario.) But I will try to write more and I would just like to say HAPPY BRITHDAY TO ME! Finally fourteen. Remember the more you review the more I write.
"Yeah." Amy squeaked, the most drunk of everyone.
"Me first!" Sango volunteered. She remembered this game from when Kagome had taught them back in the feudal Era. "Okay ummm. Kagome!"
"Dare. " Kagome exclaimed. She knew she could trust Sango right?
"Okay! Show us your mark!" She yelled leaning forward. Kagome eyed her and looked at Inuyasha who nodded.
"I guess." She flipped her head forward and flipped her hair over so they could see the Kanji mark that had been placed on her neck. It read beloved wife.
"Now the other one" Sango exclaimed clapping her hands and gulping down more brandy.
"You didn't say marks you said mark!" Kagome exclaimed blushing slightly at the mention of the other mark. Disappointed glares caught her attention and she sighed. She brought the rim of her dress down slightly to show a bite mark. She blushed ten shades of red before she pulled her dress back up.
"Your turn!" Amy exclaimed.
"Hmmmm... Okay Tony!" Kagome exclaimed pointing towrds the slightly scared man. "Truth or Dare?"
"ummmm.... Truth?"
"Okay what is your hobby?" she asked everyone looked at her not understanding why she would ask such an easy question.
"ballroomdancingandcollectingpinkbunnyrabbits." He mumbled.
"What?" Kagome teased muffling her laughter.
"I TONY MAQUES LIKES TO BALL ROOM DANCE AND COLLECT PINK BUNNY RABITS!"
"You have to be joking!" Inuyasha laughed.
"No! I can't help it I lived with five girls for most of my life." He blushed.
"Whatever. I knew this since I met you now on with the game" April said as she gulped down a bottle of bear which had no affect on her.
"Miroku!" Tony said turning to the monk.
"Dare," The monk exclaimed sticking his chest out proudly.
"If say so dude. I dare you to truthfully tell Sango how you feel about her and kiss her." Tony yelled. He had over heard a conversation between Kagome and April a while back and remember them saying that they loved each other but were afraid to admit it.
"You're kidding right?" Miroku asked. Tony shook his head. "Well Sango you see since the day we met I well... I how should I put this?"
"Get out with it already." Phoenix yelled.
"I LOVE YOU!" Miroku yelled and kissed her before she could react. But as he was about to draw away Sango grabbed him around the neck and pulled him into a deep passionate kiss, therefore creating a make out session between the two.
"Get a room you two!" Chrono yelled.
"You shouldn't be talking" Sango said to cover up her embarrassment.
"My turn!" Miroku exclaimed. "April!"
"Truth." She said calmly.
"What is your darkest secret?" Miroku asked. At this everyone moved forward to listen.
"You can not tell anybody about this understand! "She exclaimed. Everyone nodded and promised not to tell. "You see just over a year and a half ago there was a law passed that only affected Youkai and Honyous. If you were not a registered Youkai or Honyou you were murdered. And if you had done something horrible in the past you were marked.
"Well just when this was passed I had became an assassin and I found that I was very good at it only I had no heart I would kill anything and anyone that got in my way. Well you see I didn't want to register because of family reasons so I took a place of another Honyou, which I had killed. Anyway I was doing this job for this guy and I was shooting at these guys what I had not noticed was that a little girl had wondered far from her home and was heading towards the fight. I should have seen her but I didn't and I shot her killing her instantly. The men that I was trying to kill fled. I remember picking the little girl up in my hands and began to cry. Agents from the government came and took me to a place were Youkai and Honyou are held in cement cells and are marked for their crimes." April brought her right hand up which had the thick white bracelet on it. She slowly took it off and turned her hand over. There on her underarm was a dark black kanji mark, which had a thin piece of skin over it. It looked like it hurt to touch and was even more painful to get.
"This is my worst secret. This mark, a daily reminder of what I did." April said solemnly. A pair of strong arms brought her into an embrace.
"How did they make it under the skin?" Miroku asked.
"It's very painful. The worst pain I ever felt. I much rather take ten pullets to the chest then think about it. First, they inject poisons into your system that slows your healing ability than they burn the skin. After wards they slowly scrap away the abused skin and put the mark on. However, the feeling was different it wasn't like most tattoos. It stung horrible. They slowly pinched the skin until it absorbed the black ink. They left you alone for a couple hours just enough for some skin to heal over it than they pore more poisons on your arm to keep it from ever healing." April said. "It hurts to even touch it. It will never heal fully." She fingered the mark.
"That's horrible." Kagome and Sango exclaimed.
"How come I never heard of this over the news before." Kagome asked.
"It's a federation that only high government officials and Youkai or Honyou know of. They are extremely secretive." Chrono explained.
"It's made just like a normal government with legislative council, executive council and an governor." Phoenix explained. Although Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha were unsure of what they were they were able to gather that the Governor was the highest rank.
"Who's the Governor?" Kagome asked.
"My father." April said bowing her head in shame.
"So let me get this straight." Inuyasha said going over the information she just gave him. "You're a Honyou that has been 'tattooed' or 'marked' because you 'accidentally' killed a human child. Than your father is a governor of a secret government that hates and wants to destroy anyone with Youkai blood." April nodded her head. "Well I thought my life was fucked up."
"Thanks for your support Dog-Boy." April said dryly sarcasm dripping off of each syllable.
"Glad to be of service." Inuyasha said slyly. Kagome smacked him over the head.
"Enough questions. This is a game of truth and dare therefore it is my turn." April exclaimed placing her hands in front of her face to make all quiet. "So who will be my next victim? PHOENIX!" She jumped in front of the boy scaring him silly. The boy looked so scared that they thought he was going to wet himself. April's grin turned evil making the boy scrunch up as small as possible. He knew either way she was going to humiliate him. Everyone looked at the two oddly. How could someone so calm and collected be so frightened by such a simple gesture was oblivious to them.
"Truth or dare?" April asked letting each word role off her tongue slowly and slyly.
"Um... a... DARE!" Phoenix squinted at the smug look on April's face.
"Well let me see..." April looked deep in thought all though the smirk never left her face. She turned to him slowly and motioned for him to come closer. He leaned towards her and turned as white as a ghost when she whispered into his ear. The whisper was so low that even Inuyasha couldn't hear it. Phoenix nodded slowly.
"Phoenix will do his dare later in the mourning." April said calmly as the smirk dissipated from her lips. "Your turn."
"Well..."
The game went on into the early hours of the mourning. Everyone finally went to bed when April announced that it was a school night. Puzzled and unsure of her announcement everyone went to bed and fell victim to a dreamless sleep. Well all except two...
April tossed and turned in her bed. Unable to sleep. For some reason she was having the weirdest sensation that she was being watched but no matter how much she tried she couldn't wake up from her sleep. Her dreams were plagued with horrible nightmares and memories. She kept having flashbacks of the time that Chrono left her. Although, this was a nightly ritual in which she would wake up and fall back to sleep, it seemed more vivid than ever, and was unable to make her self arouse from the deep sleep.
Chrono watched April toss and turn in her bed. He knew he was causing her uneasiness yet he could not make his body get up and shake the young women. He knew she sensed him watching her for he always did. Why she had not wakened up was oblivious to him though. He longed to hold her in his arms and to kiss her, but he knew that she would not allow that to happen. Although they had kissed on the balcony at the restaurant, he knew she was intoxicated before she had arrived. He knew he had hurt her dearly and in order for her to forgive would take a miracle. His reverie was interrupted by a small whimper from April. She tossed and turned violently tossing silent words. He moved closer to hear the words that she called out only to hear his name be called out.
"No... Chrono... Don't leave me... Not again... You promised me... You said you cared for me... I trusted you... I believed you... I let you into my heart again... You broke it yet again... I said I..." She stopped as she sat up quickly and her eyes shot open. Her heart pounded in her ears, It was another dream only more vivid than anything she had ever experienced. She scanned the room and stooped as her hazel eyes met those of green.
"April?" He asked worry evident in his words. Had she been talking out in her slumber?
"Oh umm... Chrono what are you doing here?" She stammered.
"I ummm... Couldn't sleep and I needed to ask you if you had any... Toilet paper that's it! I ran out of toilet paper." Chrono answered.
"That was the lamest excuse ever. Tony even comes up with better ones than that." April said.
"What were you talking about in your dream?" Chrono asked although he knew the answer too well.
"Flashbacks. Past memories of betrayal and pain, that is all." April said anger engulfed her words.
"I heard my name April and I know too well that it was that day I left. But that was so long ago! You have to forgive me April." He exclaimed.
"I have to forgive no one." She spat.
"But what about that kiss at the..."
"That kiss was nothing more than lust."
"Well if that's the way you think of it then explain the desperation and sorrow in your voice when you were dreaming?"
"It was a dream a flashback if you may." April turned her head. "I have never cared for a man more than I had to. I have not let another man in my life due to the sheer fear of being hurt. Do you think I want to be this way? I never feared men the way I do now. I know that some day I shall marry and have children but what if that man hurts me too? I can only be shattered so many times. I fear the next time I am hurt I shall loose all. I have no trust, no belief, no hope, nor a heart. The thing in my chest is stone cold. I was never this way Chrono, NEVER!" She was sobbing at this point she never wanted to talk to him like this but once she started she couldn't stop.
"I am so sorry, April. I never meant to hurt you this bad. I thought if I just left it would save us pain in the long run." He exclaimed but was interrupted by a now enraged girl.
"Cause less pain. Chrono you leaving me with nothing but I'm sorry is the worst than sitting there in explaining the reasons to your departure. I may have forgiven you, I may have forgotten of it. But not till now did I realize how much I regretted not going after you." She giggled lightly. "Grandmamma always said to never regret what you do just to forget the bad memories, to forget all that was done and is unable to be undone. However no matter what wisdom she handed to me she never told me that these forgotten regrets would come back to haunt me. Chrono you did not and still don't understand how much I love you!" April clamped her hand over her mouth once she realized what she said. Chrono eyes widened.
"I now realize that I cause you great pain. But I want you to realize that I love you too, and nothing can change that. I'll leave now." He turned and began to walk down the stairs.
"Chrono, can I ask you a favor?" April asked unsure.
"Of course."
"Could you stay here? Please incase the nightmares come back it's just that I'm so lonely and I need someone close."
"Of course." He walked up the steps silently and sat down in his chair.
"Actually could you sleep right here." She patted the bedding next to her pulling it back so he could get in. He slowly walked to the bed and slipped in, unsure of what to do.
April snuggled into his arms. His scent calmed her as did the warm heat radiating off his muscular body.
"Chrono what I said earlier, I lied. That kiss wasn't lust it was love." April said before falling asleep in Chrono's arms.
"I know April. I know..." He whispered and pulled a strand of hair from her face. Now that he looked closely he noticed how much she had changed in the past while. Her face had thinned and her lips became a cherry red and had become fuller. Even with her eyes closed he knew they held much more wisdom than they once did. He brought her hand up to his face and examined her long tender fingures. Indeed, she had changed very much since the last time they held each other. He knew however, that she was not the women he had knew, he knew that she had killed therefore, surrendering her innocents and for some reason he had a feeling that it was his fault that, that had happened. He never wanted to leave her especially for that woman. He hatted that women with a passion, he could have killed her when he found out that the child was not his and that he had left a life that he loved for a woman he hated. Although it broke his heart to leave the young girl he had help raised but she was a constant memory of better times and why he left them.
He brought April tightly to his chest as a deep sleep took over and calmly went into oblivion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April woke with a start; she felt warm arms and felt that hot breath on her face. From whom, she could not remember. However as she remembered last night's occurrences she snuggled into the warmth. She turned slowly to look at the time. 8:00 AM the clock read and she jumped out of the bed with a start startling the man who slumbered next to her.
"HOLY CRAP I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" She screamed as she pranced through the room digging for clothing and other accessories.
"Hmmm... Good morning to you too." Chrono yawned. "So what are you going to be late for?" He asked confused as he watched her slip on her butt.
"School! If I don't show up today like I promised Shippo I can kiss next week's paycheck goodbye!" She exclaimed as she regained her composer on the floor, and stood up slowly before sprinting to the bathroom.
"But you haven't been to school for forever!" Chrono said becoming interested in the conversation.
"I know but Shippo said if I showed up for school and took a few test I could pass this year with flying colors." She said as she ran to her mini kitchen to make her breakfast.
"What about your guests?" Chrono asked wishing she would just come back to bed.
"Kagome's coming although I'm not sure what Dog-Boy is gonna do. He could come too, I believe Kagome brought it up last night to see if he wanted to come."She said through spoonfuls of cereal.
"I have to go in today too, so I could hang with ya at lunch hour if you want." Chrono said as he slowly got out of bed.
"Suit yourself, but at the moment I must leave see ya." She exclaimed as she ran out the door.
"Oi what took you so long wrench!" Exclaimed an extremely grumpy Honyou.
"I take it you are going? This day gets better and better every waking moment." April exclaimed as she raised her hands over her head.
"April I hope you don't mind but Sango and Miroku are going too." Kagome said.
"I don't care." April sulked as she walked through the door. She took a chain of keys out of her pocket and pushed a button. The garage door opened slowly to reveal many cars. Most were convertibles or motorcycles.
"Are these all yours?" Kagome asked in awe.
"Of course. Shippo doesn't feel safe driving in a vehicle with no roof and there ain't no one else in this house that can afford these." She said as she strolled casually along the length of the garage. "Which car?"
She stopped at one and hopped in. It had to be her favorite of them all. She only drove it when there was no chance of harming the vehicle. It was a black viper convertible and had red flames licking the sides of the car. Not to mention the awesome stereo system.
"April I have a question." Kagome explained as they hurdled down the high way.
"Okay." April answered unsure of what the question would be.
"You told me that you make only 25, 000 dollars for jobs with Shippo but I talked to him and he said you should rethink your answer." Kagome said shyly.
"Yeah I was a tad off. That is about how much you would make as a part time body guard. Depending on my job I make at least 25, 000, 000 dollars." April said. Kagome's mouth fell to the ground.
"Are you serious?" She asked April just nodded her answer.
"HENTAI!"
*SLAP*
"Will he ever learn?" April wondered as she turned the car into the student parking lot. They got out calmly even though all five of them felt hundreds of eyes piercing their way. April became a tad nervous. Maybe she should have worn something different, she thought as she looked down at her wardrobe. She wore black cargo pants, black Vans, a black t-shirt that said 'I'm a Bitch. Deal with it.' That had a white long sleeved shirt under it. She wore thick bracelets on her arms and wore her hair up in a high ponytail. Yet again what else could she wear? She felt the most comfortable in this, although if she had a gun on her side she would be unstoppable.
She looked to her side to find a very stressed Sango. How Kagome had managed to talk her into wearing such a short skirt and a halter-top was beyond her power to comprehend. However it made Sango seem older and more mature in a way. Kagome ware a similar outfit only her skirt reached her knees instead of her mid hip. Miroku and Inuyasha both wore heavy, baggy jeans while Inuyasha wore a red t-shirt and Miroku wore a purple t-shirt.
They walked into the office and were surprised by how quite and calm it was. A petite woman walked up to them and stuck her hand out to Kagome.
"My name is Jamie Rackman I am the principals secretary." She said and shook Kagome's hand. "How may we help you?"
"You can help us by taking us to the old geezer," April said as she walked from behind Miroku and Inuyasha.
"Ahhh... April... How nice to see you... again..." The woman said through strained teeth, motioning to a small room.
"She doesn't seem to like you." Sango whispered.
"Lets just say my record isn't very clean." She said and ignored Sango's confused look.
As they walked into a small room, a chubby bald man stood from his desk.
"What a pleasant surprise April. Shippo called earlier and said that you were going to grace us with your and your friends' presence. Your tests will be held in room 143 and I shall give your friends a tour of the school. I expect you to come and get them from my office at lunch hour. I am warning you if you do one thing that is against the rules I will have no problem suspending you. Since you have left our school has been extremely well behaved and I would like it that you do not ruin this." The man said and motioned for April to leave.
"What ever you say Boss." April saluted and left.
The morning went uneventful especially for April. She was bombarded with exams and as for the others they spent a very long time walking around the large school as Kagome did some work that her school faxed for her.
April was grateful when the bell rang and signaled for the beginning of lunch. She walked to the principles office to find the other four sitting trying not to fall asleep. They walked slowly to the cafeteria not saying a word for boredom had engulfed the five.
"Could you believe that she would actually show her face here again?" April heard a bunch of girls whisper.
"I know, she thinks she oh so high and powerful."
"She's such a bitch!"
"Not to mention a slut."
"We should teach her a lesson for showing her ugly face here."
April turned red with rage and walked up to the girls slowly who glared daggers at her.
"I have a few things to say to you." April said pointing to the group. "It takes a coward to talk to someone like that behind their back, unlike you I am able to say what I am thinking to their face. Second I am not a slut for I wear clothing that covers my body and I do not sleep with every guy I see. Thirdly if you plan to teach a person a lesson talk about it when the person can not hear you."
April spun on her heel but before she left, she gave the group of girls the finger. She dragged the others into the cafeteria and stopped when an idea immerged in her head.
"Stay here, I have to do something." She dashed off.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Kagome said.
"Why?" Miroku asked.
"The look on her face." Kagome pondered
"Yeah it looked as if she was planning something, something bad." Sango said.
"Maybe we should begin to walk in the other direction," Inuyasha directed.
"Wonderful idea..." Sango stopped as she felt a hand cup her behind. "HENTAI!"
**THUMP**
"But Sango..." Miroku whined.
*SLAP*
"I didn't do it." He said innocently. If it wasn't for the gleam in his eye they may of believed him.
*WHACK*
Sango turned and walked away.
"Stupid Hentai," she murmured under her breath. However her attention was attuned to a high-pitched squeal, causing Inuyasha to bring his hands up to his cap and cover it to keep the noise out.
"There's a spider in my salad." A girl screamed. April walked around the corner looking very triumphal as she strolled across the cafeteria.
"You know what?" She said as she came to the group. "Any preppy girl can mistake a fake eyelash for a spider." She finished trying incredible hard not to laugh.
"Pervert!" Rang out across the cafeteria. Everyone turned to look at Sango but Miroku was still standing with no bruise or any sign of being hit. They turned slowly to April, who was practically rolling on the floor laughing to kill her self. Phoenix strolled around the corner with his head hung low and many bruises on his face.
"April?" They all asked at once.
"I'm sorry I couldn't resist myself." She said as she wheezed from lack of oxygen. "Last night for my dare I told him he had to grope any woman he met until 1:00 PM. which is in 30 seconds. Lets say that Miroku was my inspiration."
They looked at her with wide mouths than joined in with her laughing.
"However before this day is complete I must get some revenge." April motioned for all to follow her and she pointed to the principal who was waiting in the cafeteria line for some food. Her hand dived into her pants pocket and pulled out four red balls. "Cherry bombs," was all she said as she pulled the triggers and tossed them. To her amusement, one fell into the mashed turnip, one in the chili, one in the pork and beans and the final unknown mixture of leftovers that looked more like barf than food. Before anyone could react they all exploded spraying food all over the intended target, the principal. However, unknown to April standing next to him was the school intendment and head of the educational board.
April decided that this was a good time for them to depart. She grabbed the others and sprinted out the doors.
"That was way too funny!" April laughed.
"April you could of seriously hurt someone!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Nah! What you really need to watch out for is the Wednesday surprise it has stuff in there that only God knows." April said gripping her stomach.
"You think you're hilarious." Came a masculine voice behind her followed by two strong arms.
"Hey there sweetie." April smiled. She turned her head on a angle and kissed Chrono on the cheek. "So are we going to head to the mountains!"
Everyone stared at April; this was defiantly not the girl they had grown to know. She had a new hop to her walk, a new gleam to her eyes, and a smile that could stop anyone in their tracks.
"Everything's ready. I have your trailer and a couple cars." Chrono said pointing towards the school parking lot. However before anyone thought to move they heard the principal yell April's name.
"I think we should leave or I'll be in a whole lot shit!" April exclaimed as she sprinted to the cars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOLY CRAP! That was a lot. So sorry I haven't wrote a lot lately however I just learned I'm moving to Guelph (Outside of Toronto, Ontario.) But I will try to write more and I would just like to say HAPPY BRITHDAY TO ME! Finally fourteen. Remember the more you review the more I write.