Hey people!!! sorry, I was sooo busy UU;; and I was up-dating other fics too, and I just finished my finals for term one, YES!!!!!!!! grins now that's out of the way, I can continue with this, eh? thanks for everyone who have been waiting patiently, I know it's a drag to wait so long, but I have so many stories going on at the same time!! And I love the reviews!!! WOW!! last chapter got so many!! I just couldn't believe it!!! THANK YOU!!! this makes me very happy, and I hope they keep on coming!! sly grin I don't mind….;; People, notice the length of this chapter, wow! I think this is the longest;; you guys deserve it!!! Enjoy and don't forget to press those cute little blue buttons on the left that make us authors so happy :p happy reading!!!!

Thank You List

dillpops- I'm glad you had some laugh in the last chapter;; YAY! It was easier to read :p thanks for reviewing as always, thank you! enjoy the new chapter

joss-31-yupe, couldn't forget cool merle;; lol, I like her, I don't understand why some people don't…(I understand the Allen part, though) and you'll see more of her soon! Enjoy

SabineballZ-YES, Hitomi and Van have FINALLY met, took, long, eh? Lol! Three chapter before they saw each other! Hahah! Funny! Unfortunately, Van is as stubborn as a mull UU;; but they'll bicker a lot in the beginning nn;; thanks a lot for reviewing, I hope you like this chapter!!

Ayachan-blush not so original….from an awesome book that I advise you to read!!! cough really good cough ;; thanks and I hope you like this chapter!!!

Aeka-himme-hehe, I agree with you on that one;; blush no problem!! I love to draw…so it's actually me that should thank, thank you!! (for reviewing as well, of course;;)

juju-lol, I could feel your patience going on ice ;; GGRRR…Van...can be so…Vanish? LOL!! You'll see what happens, I hope you like it!! :p

Liviania-YES, mediator rocks!! gives high five and Jess and Van…squeals while blushing madly don't you just feel like bashing Hitomi and Suze? evil smirk while holding a baseball bat …anyway, I'll let that slip because those gals (especially Suze) are really cute and awesome

Crystel-yup, yup it's based on the mediator series! hugs mediator series with Jess you thought about this story when you saw the first book? blush thanks that you like this story so far and I hope you like the future chapters as well!!

Onigiri Momoko-LOL, hang in there;; sorry for the wait, I hope you like this new chapter!!!

JoJo-hehe, Van can be such a pain at times;; thanks for the compliments, enjoy the new chapter!!

Snow blossoms-blush ooooohh!! Such nice compliments!! hugs you that made me happy hope you like this chapter!!!

Name1- thank you so much!! I hope you like the new chapter

Love Witch-hey my friend. You might not ever read this, but I just had to put this on for you. haha, now that you talk about it, I didn't think of Suze's cat as Merle….just…Van's cat;; yeah, Van such a hottie drool lol, you are married to an Italian;; (well, kinda) but Hitomi is lucky, and the dense girl doesn't even know it u.u;; well, thanks for supporting me and reading my fics, it means a lot to me and your stuff is great!! Don't put yourself down so much, that's why I'm here to say you are AWESOME!! Have an awesome day

Jess131346-hehe, my complainer;; LOL! Peeps tend to get confused, it's okay pat pat maybe this chapter will help ya thanks a lot for reviewing!!

alicia-ahhh!! Girl, I was scared when you disappeared and didn't reply when you actually never got the e-mail Oo;; hehe, Van will be Van;; and I hope you like the new chapter!! Post your fic soon, woman! I'm excited here XD

Ryuu Angel-WAAA!!!! hugs you like mad woman, I love your reviews!!! grins they always make me happy, thank you soooo much!!! It really makes me think and write for people like you lol, I have finally put you out of your misery :p and Van is Spanish!! squeals lol, I get what you're saying 'get your lazy ass and write!!' ßright?;; hehe, scary Van? Somehow that doesn't sound right…. sexy Van seems more along the lines;; yeah, but he is kinda freaky, mysterious…Hitomi has a hard life, but she's though :p I'm stronger! sings to Britney's song lol;; Merle was, well, is Van's cat and you'll see how he dies…(when I told my mom, she had goosebumbs on her arm!) and Merle's story will clarify sometime in the future I like Dryden, but he's kind of a dork (good looking dork never the less ) Chid! So kawaii!! (lol, I hardly ever use that word;; CCS fans are obsessed with it!) and the genius too!! yeah, I didn't hate Allen from the series, I just don't like him in the fics. And here he's the blonde and brain-less surfer fits him, eh? looool!!! What are you implying on that? XD hentai!! LOL, I know what you meant;; but Hitomi doesn't like this touching thing…yet;; evil laugh Van's looks can save him more times than we can count XD like our futile attempt into beating him but failing miserably once we see his brown eyes. Just look at him!! Too cute, sexy, to be beaten, damn him XD hehe, make up your mind, woman!!;; although ships sounds interesting…..and about the other mediators, you'll find out soon enough hehe, I love long reviews!! that's bloody brilliant!! lol, that's what happens when you read too many HP fics XD I hope you like this new chapter, enjoy!!!!

storm warrior-thanks!! blush I hope you like the new chapter!!!!

kanberry- girl! is it too late to review??? OO;; OMIGOD!!! I'm freakin' happy you reiviewed!! hugs you it's never, never too late to review :p thank you so much!! It made me realize to start writing the next chapter and stop with my laziness XD thanks!!!!!! and I hope you like this new chapter

dedication ahem thank you my fellow readers and dear friends!!!! You people are so sweet THANK YOU!! and peace!!

Mediator Hitomi

Chapter five-Californication

I sighed tiredly as I lay in bed, staring at the white ceiling above me. It had been quiet difficult to come to an understanding among that ghost, what's its name? Van!! I snorted as the clear image of the raven-haired man—boy. I corrected myself. Van was still a boy, even though he had those visible six-packs…I shook my head, avoiding the nice image of the almost see through shirt he wore during their discussion.

Who the hell did he think he is? To claim that MY room was his property?? Uh, hello? My step dad bought this house, and he didn't know it included a jerk of a ghost as a bonus. Not to mention that he threatened me, threatened me! This thought almost made me laugh, but I was too tired to try. He was so full of himself, and what about the cat-girl? Weird….

I rolled my eyes at the thought how that girl clung to Van, as if I was a threat to her feelings toward that jerk. I snorted, what did that thing see in him? Even more amusing, did Van know about his little companion's feelings towards him? It was so obvious, even Barbie boy would have noticed. I shook my head, it didn't matter, it isn't my business and frankly, I don't care either. I already have enough on my plate as it is.

I sighed exasperatedly remembering I would have to wake up early. My 'family' will tour me around sunny California tomorrow, and from the look on my mother's face, it mattered a whole lot to make a first impression good. I scoffed at that, as if I cared what they thought about me, they would have to deal with it anyway.

After all, I had to share my mother with those four males. It would only be fair in my opinion. I stretched lazily as a yawn mustered through my lips. Maybe I should really start thinking about sleep. I mused as I glanced at my alarm clock, reading the bold numbers, 11:37 p.m. I grumbled, I sure as hell wouldn't have enough sleep.

I rolled on my back while I attempted to sleep, wasn't I tired a minuet ago? I hit the pillow in frustration. I have to sleep, otherwise my mother will butcher me for sleeping in. I cringed at the thought. The last thing anybody wanted to do was make my mother upset, I know this from experience, believe me. I started to made small circles at my white pillowcase with the tip of my finger as I waited for fatigue to curse my body once more.

I scanned my eyes around the room critically, impressed with my mother's good taste. That is, hers and Jeff's taste. I still had to get used to the idea of a step dad, it had always been Hitomi and mom. Now it was Hitomi, mom, Jeff, Bookworm, Brain, and Barbie boy. And it was still extremely uncomfortable to see your mother making out with an almost total stranger, and especially so openly.

I always had this nice image of my mom, you know. The devoting mother, hard workingwoman, and no real love life, as if she had time for those kind of things. That is, until she went on that damn business trip for a week to Chicago. Than all hell broke, Jeff just happened to be there, at the same time. I know I am being childish and selfish, so sue me. But…I wanted to think that my mother is, well, my mother.

Meaning, living only for good ol' moi. It feels odd to think that Jeff has a big portion of my mother's heart so quickly, and I don't want to think I have to compete with him. But I know my mother loved me, regardless if she had a lover or not, I was still and always would be her daughter. But at least mother is happy, so that's what really matters. I thought silently as my eyes lingered on the veranda.

My thoughts wondered once again to those shocking maroon eyes. I shook my head stubbornly, hadn't I told myself not to think about him again? I cursed under my breath as my conversation before he left played again in my head.

I blinked, "You what?"

Van smirked, "You heard me, I've been living here for two hundred years, chica."

I fumed at this, "Did you just call me a chick??"

Van snorted rudely, "You can get angry quickly with nothing."

I raised my eyebrow at him. Maybe this moron doesn't know our modern slangs. I sighed as I slumped against the wall, wondering what I did to deserve this, "Look, I want to sleep. I had a long flight and this is my room now. It doesn't matter if it was yours, but now it's mine. Could you leave?" I asked as calmly as I could, I didn't have the mind to bicker now, I just wanted my bed and my pillow…at that thought I would have almost drifted off if it wasn't for the rude snort coming form the raven haired boy.

"You sure have manners."

I clenched my teeth; this guy was playing with fire, "Could you please leave my room?"

"I'm sorry, what did you say? I couldn't quiet catch it," Van tried to surpass a smirk growing on his lips.

My eyes blazed with fury as the words spilled in a higher level, "Look here, I said please, so could you just fuckin' leave??"

Van shook his head in mock, "Tut, tut, miss Kanzaki. A lady shouldn't use just profound language like that. It just isn't fitting."

I cried in frustration, why couldn't he just leave?? God, how I hate this good-looking ghost. Wait! Did I just think that?

"I agree with you lord Van, but I think we should leave. I don't want to stay here another minute looking at her," Hissed Merle as her arm clung tightly around the muscular arm of Van.

I blinked, that must have been the most useful thing that damn cat has ever said in my presence, minus the slight insult. But I was grateful, maybe now the jerk would leave.

Van seemed to ponder on the thought, making me even more impatient.

"I'll leave, but only in one circumstance," Van said with a serious expression.

I looked puzzled, what now? "What?"

"If I can still come here," said Van flatly.

My eyes widened, I can't believe this! "Oh, no you don't!"

"Than I'm staying here," Van said stubbornly, while stomping his foot to emphasize his point.

"Hey, did you forget who I am? I can kick your sorry arse to the next world anytime I feel like!" I hissed furiously. I feel like bashing this guy senseless!

"And did you forget that I warned you not to middle in my business?" Van's eyes had a dangerous flame burning in them. I shivered inwardly.

"I just want you to leave, okay? Is that so hard? I want to change!" I said this as I flapped my arms aggravated.

"Okay, change," Said Van with an unreadable look.

I swear, I really hate this guy.

Van snorted again, "Mujeres."

Somehow, I felt insulted by this. Even though not knowing what the word meant, but before I could give a piece of my mind to that asshole, a light knocking could be heard at my door, "Hitomi, dear? With whom are you talking to?"

I whirled around to open the door, not before hearing the faint voice, "I'll be back…" I turned around to protest all I was worth to see that Van and that cat girl were both gone. I stomped my foot in annoyance, why me? Turning around slowly, I opened my door, revealing my beautiful mother who looked concerned.

"I wasn't talking to anyone, mother." I said calmly, trying to hide my angry tone.

My mother looked over my shoulder, to check if there was really someone.

"Honestly mom, there's no one in there!" I said a little annoyed at my mother's paranoiac manner.

"Okay, I swore I heard you talking to someone. Funny, although there didn't seem to be another voice…" My mother looked at me nervously.

"No mother, I don't have Fred with me anymore," I said exasperatedly. Fred was the name of my "imaginary friend" as a child. But I never had an imaginary friend; they were really ghosts who needed help or who decided to torment me at their spare time. But my mom didn't know that, and never would. She just assumed it was an imaginary friend, and thought nothing against it; lots of children had those in their childhood, nothing to fuss over.

However, when I began my teenage hood, my mother began to freak out. Literally. And hence on her decision to make me go to a shrink once a month. The joy. I hated the shrinks just as much as the ghosts. They always made me feel my difference. My curse. And I know that not even they knew how to 'fix' my problem.

My mother sighed slowly, looking at the ground, "Sorry sweetheart, I was…. just concerned, you know."

"Yeah," Came my dry response. I still blamed my mother for taking me to those damn shrinks.

My mother lifted her head to look at me, "I really came here to tell you dinner is ready."

I blinked for the millionth time that day, my mother…cooked dinner? "Sorry?"

My mother raised an eyebrow, "I said dinner is ready."

I stared at my mother. Really, was I going deaf or something? In all my years living with my mother, I could only remember a handful of times my mother cooked. I was used to the Chinese delivery and frozen food. My mother is a busy woman after all, and if she wasn't around, I would always nibble on something in the fridge or in my mother's secret cupboard filled with sweets and unhealthy things. Really, and she says I'm the unhealthy one? Uh-huh.

"Mom? Did you cook?" I looked hopeful that my mother didn't. One thing that my mother was not good at: it's cooking. I know this from self-experience. The poor woman had no talent in the field, and the worst punishment I can think is to eat my mother's cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother dearly, I really do, but the cafeteria food looks much more promising.

"Good heavens no!" my mother laughed heartedly as she noticed my pale expression. My mother shook her head, "I would die before I could make a scrambled egg. Jeff cooked."

Now this piece of information startled me, "Sorry?" now I really think I've done deaf.

"Jeff cooked dinner, he's brilliant. Oh, did I tell you he has a master's degree in cooking? There's nothing that man can't cook," My mother had a dreamy look on her face, as if she was in another dimension.

I tried to hide my disgusted look, "I don't feel hungry."

My mother snapped her head to my face, "Why not? I can assure you won't be disappointed by his cooking."

I shook my head slowly, "It's not that, I don't feel like eating, I feel tired."

My mother smiled softly, "I'm sorry. I should have known you would be tired."

I smiled weakly, "It's okay, but is it alright? I mean, it's my first day here…."

"Don't worry, I'll explain to Jeff about it. He'll understand. We can celebrate the reunion of the family tomorrow, okay? We'll all be rested tomorrow to enjoy it. Mind you, I hope you sleep well because tomorrow is a long day," Said my mother while waging her index finger at me.

I nodded silently.

My mother smiled, "Alright. Sweet dreams," after kissing my forehead gently, my mother climbed down the stairs silently.

I sighed exasperatedly while closing the door. Yes, tomorrow would be a long day…

In the midst of my thinking, I was soon lulled into sleep. And after much protest against my alarm clock when it rang at 7a.m. promptly, I was now sitting inside the red jeep after one hour. I grumbled inwardly while looking out the window, as the tall pine trees pasted by. Pine trees? I shook my head; I would have never thought pine trees would be here, in California. Well, northern California, but that didn't matter. I noticed the spot-less sidewalks and shallow buildings side-by-side, different from dirty sidewalks and massive buildings back home. I had to admit; California was a nice place to live, and safe too.

The car made a jerk to the right, and my breathe caught in my throat. To the horizon, I caught a glimpse of the ocean. Truth be told, I haven't seen the ocean very often. My first time was when I went to Disney world Florida…but that was when I was five years old. And just yesterday was my second. So you can tell I'm no nature gal. I kept my gaze fixed on the sparkling mass of water, this is just…beautiful.

"Oh! Hitomi! Isn't California beautiful?" asked my mother blissfully as she turned over from her passenger seat, flashing me a smile.

"Yes," I responded plainly while still gazing at the ocean.

"It's been a while since you've last seen the ocean, am I right, Hitomi?" piped Jeff's voice while he kept his eyes on the rode.

I nodded, and soon realized he couldn't see me and responded politely, "Yeah, last time I saw the ocean was when I was five."

Barbie boy, who had been half dozing off and half listening, jumped from his seat at this, "That long? Dude! How did you like, live without surfing??"

I was tempted to roll my eyes and remark sarcastically, but I tamed myself to not pick a fight so early, "I don't like surfing, dude."

That seemed to be enough of an answer to Barbie boy, because he settled down and shut up, dozing off or whatever he was doing earlier. My attention was back to the window, curious how a place within the same country could look so different at another part of it. My eyes darted from the evergreen grass to the steaming sun baking half naked blonde people. We were slowly nearing the beach, and soon the car slowed to halt, lining behind many cars waiting to park in the crammed parking lot.

Jeff cursed under his breath, while my mother hummed lightly to the beat of the music that waved around the car from the radio, playing an old 50's lovesick song. I wanted to gag, instead, I turned my head around in curiosity in what my dear stepbrothers were doing. As expected, Bookworm was devouring a horror book as thick as all my books combined together, flipping through the pages hurriedly, making me wonder if he was really reading or just looking at the pretty letters in cheer boredom. I leaned slightly to catch what he was reading, and caught the title, The Revenge of Cannibal. I shivered despite myself; I certainly do not want to be left alone with bookworm anytime soon.

I darted my eyes from Bookworm to Brain, and was not surprised to find him flipping through his physics book, as if he needed to learn anything, the kid was a walking science book for crying out loud! He could properly write his own physics book by heart, might be even better than the one he's reading…. I chuckled lightly; the boy never ceased to surprise me.

And lastly, I snapped my eyes past Brain, and to the bleached mop of blonde hair, and almost snorted at the image of Barbie Boy taking a nap. His head was back, with his lips slightly open with his tongue sticking out a little, and…was that drool? Gross. I shook my head, the things that you most likely found Barbie Boy doing was: eating, sleeping, surfing, sleeping, flirting, and did I mention sleeping? Sometimes I wondered if Barbie boy had mental disorder.

I sighed as I faced forward again, after examining my stepbrothers thoroughly, and decided to look out the window again, while propping my elbow against the window sill and placing my head in my supportive hand while my eyes followed some people pass by. I noticed that the car had moved a little, and soon we would be able to leave the car.

I wasn't too sure if I wanted to leave, since I wasn't too keen staying out on the sun. I'm not quiet an outgoing person, mostly to do with my 'job', not to mention I'm not used to this high temperature, coming from New Jersey and all. But glancing at the beautiful turquoise ocean and the crashing waves made me forget my reasons for not going out.

I made little hearts on the windowsill with the tip of my index finger, occasionally adding a smiling face. A few minutes later, I leaned my head against the window, too bored to proceed in my artistic skills. Now focusing on how the grass lightly swayed with the swish of the wind. I thought back to my old home, and my best friend Yukari.

Smiling absently, I recalled some of our crazy happenings. I chuckled lightly while I remembered the time Yukari had double dared me to go into the boy's changing, resulting in ten days for detention. But it was worth it. I got to see the hottest jock at the school with nothing but a loose white towel wrapped around his waist and soaking wet. Let me tell you, that guy was hot. I almost jumped out of my skin when my mom called out to me, "Hitomi? Sweetie? You better come out soon, Jeff wants to lock the car."

I blushed slightly, was I daydreaming? Must have, and how come that was so fast? Must daydream more often in traffic…so I can actually regain the sleep that I loose when I go gho— okay, I really do not want to think about this, today is my ghost-free day. I must have started daydreaming again, because my mom had this irritated look on her face, while she tapped her foot impatiently. Without a second thought, I leaped out of the car and soon regretted as the sun stung my skin.

"Sweetie, you should really put on some sunscreen," my mom said softly while handing the sunscreen to me, "I don't want you having skin cancer anytime soon, if ever."

"Yes, yes, mother," I said exasperatedly, tired of hearing this almost every time the sun shot some rays of light and when I was obligated to leave the house. I grabbed the sunscreen and grumblingly spread the white fluid across my arms and down to my legs and across my face, hating the fact that I was so white and had sensitive skin. Why couldn't I be tan? At least they didn't really have to worry with sunburns that often. Damn them.

After I spread the sunscreen thoroughly across my body, I handed the bottle back to my mom, and she examined me too see if I had every spot covered, and after seeing the look of approval, she stuffed the bottle within her beach bag, full of God knows what. I rolled my eyes. Sometimes I think my mom is kind of paranoid about some things, even though it is a little serious.

My mother started walking behind Jeff and the boys, I trailed along slowly. We were walking to the direction to what looked like a restaurant, a nice place to talk and get cosy with your date. The name was Susumu's place. I wonder if it's Japanese food…oddly enough, it was a grill restaurant, and it was packed. The sweet smell of meat intoxicated my nostrils, making my almost drool at the image of steaks flying inside my head.

"Later we'll come back here to have lunch, but first we'll book our reservation, since it's Saturday and this is the busiest day for them. Jeff loves this place, he would regularly bring his boys here once every two weeks before…well, you know," My mother gave me that nervous look, and I immediately understood. Jeff's deceased wife, who had apparently died of breast cancer. I had seen a few pictures of her around the house, and she was a pretty woman. She had bright blue eyes, and that explained all the boys' eyes except Bookworm's, which was from Jeff's side and his dark brown hair. She had ash blonde hair, slightly darker than Brain's and Barbie Boy's.

What was her name? Oh yeah, Samantha. Pretty name too. She seemed like a nice person, always with a cheerful smile in the photos, and twinkling blue eyes. No wonder Jeff fell in love with my mom, they were so similar. Except my mom has her blue eyes more to the green side and her hair is sandy blonde, but still very similar. I snapped out of my stupor when I saw my mother look worriedly at me, I blushed lightly despite myself. I seem to have been daydreaming often now, I grumbled to myself.

"Where do you want to go, honey? It's your day, so you choose where you want to go," said my mother cheerfully, while holding Jeff's hand tightly.

"Uh," came my intelligent answer.

"Oh! I know, how about we drop by your new school? Look around before you see it next week?" My mom asked me eagerly.

"Sure," I said in a bored tone, it really didn't matter, but it didn't hurt to see the place you would be locked up for seven hours everyday weekday, not to mention tortured with those vile things they call 'homework'. I shuddered, I can't believe I only have until Wednesday, and than on Thursday I would be forced to go there. I scrunched my nose, weird that they start the school year in the middle of the week. But hey, I'm not complaining! At least the weekend will be closer than starting from Monday. I glanced at my wristwatch, 11:14 a.m. I think that's enough time before lunch.

There was a low moan behind me, and I turned to see Barbie Boy slump his shoulders and look irritated.

"Dad, why do we have to go there? I mean, I go to that school, there's nothing new about that! It's nothing but a waste of time! So why can't you just leave me here? I'm sixteen for freakin' sakes and I don't want to go!" Barbie Boy's hair swung from side to side lightly, while his eyes blazed a lighter shade of blue.

I rolled my eyes, for a boy, he sure overreacted. Not even Yukari would make such a big fuss! And I'm being very generous because Yukari was the drama queen.

"Watch your language, Allen," Came Jeff's warning voice. Jeff is that typical father that doesn't appreciate swear words being said by his children, but I don't understand since he mutters all the ones that I can think of, " And you are going with us even if I have to drag you, and don't give me that face."

Allen mumbled quietly under his breath, while digging his flip-flops on the cool sand.

Jeff stepped inside the restaurant, while we followed along. The first thing I noticed about this restaurant was its size, it's huge. I looked from every direction and there wasn't a single table empty. There were waiters walking hurriedly with orders clutched tightly in their hands and others were nodding lightly as they listened to the customer's order. People were cued to what looked like a buffet, grabbing a plate and filling until there was no more space on the surface and were forced to sit down before they could rise to their 5th plate.

The air was cool and the voices floated around, in the air, bouncing off the walls and coming back again, creating a soft echo. The walls were light cream, with some random ornaments that reminded me of Thank God it's Friday. Jeff stopped abruptly in front of a nice wooden counter, where a narrow faced man with sleek black hair noticed us and scrunched his nose in what seemed disapproval. I read his badge, Shu Chan, manager.

"Can we make reservations?" asked Jeff politely.

The manager narrowed his beady eyes at Jeff, "What time?"

"For today, if you possibly have space for lunch, but if not, try dinner," said Jeff a little uncomfortable at the stare the manager gave him.

The manager scrunched his nose again, while flipping through a notebook exasperatedly, "Umm…" he mustered while his eyes scanned the pages quickly, "we only have available table after buffet, at 3 p.m., is that good for you, no?" The guy had a choppy accent, and an oriental look. Maybe this place is really run by Japanese.

Jeff seemed to ponder on the thought for a moment, "Isn't there any earlier time? Maybe not for the buffet, but for meals from the menu?"

The manager seemed to get impatient, "No," he responded rudely.

Jeff turned his head to my mother, who nodded slowly along with my shrug and the boy's mutual understanding, Jeff faced the manager again and nodded, "Okay than, reserve it for the McKenzie family," said Jeff with a grin. I cringed at the name, Hitomi McKenzie? I'll keep my mother's maiden name, thank you very much.

The man nodded his head as he wrote down the name, shuffling through the papers and than looking up to Jeff again, "Table booked 3 p.m."

Jeff nodded, "Thank you."

We headed back to the car, and I started to wonder what my school looked like, or even more importantly, what school I was going to, and I questioned my mother so.

"What school you're going to?" my mom asked me incredulously as she turned around from her passenger seat, giving me a weird look, "Haven't I told you?"

I shook my head; the last thing that was in my mother's head was where I was going to be tortured.

"Well," my mom had a perplexed face, "You're attending the same school as the boys, and it's called Austuria Academy."

I nodded my head, not quiet sure what to say.

"It's very good," my mom continued, while the car made a turn to the left, "it's from middle school onwards, 6th to 12th grade. The teachers are well qualified, and you can continue your track races," This brought my attention. You see, when I lived back in New Jersey, I needed something to rid me off my problems, you know. And what was the best thing compared to running? When I ran, I felt like a bird in the sky, as much as it seems cheesy, but it's true. I forgot about my divorced mother. I forgot I hardly had any friends, and I especially forgot about them. It was one of those rare times that I felt complete, and well, happy. In a way, I guess.

"That's right," Interrupted Jeff as the car went to a stop when the red light flicked, "your mom has told me you took track in your old school, right 'Tomi?"

"Yeah," I said with a nod.

My mother smiled, "We'll be getting there soon."

I nodded once again, a little uncomfortable. Call it anxiety to meet a new school and new people. Especially new people. Would they accept me? Or would they treat me just like the people in my old school? Is it hard here? Will I make friends? A million questions ran through my head, and I decided to face the window again with a sigh. I don't usually get excited or worried about something, and if I did, I would probably be wearing a white jacket and counting butterflies.

I smiled sadly to myself. At this very moment, I wondered how Yukari was doing. Funny. I hadn't thought of her for a long time, actually, I hadn't thought of her since I got here. I felt a little guilty at this; maybe I should call her or e-mail her. I missed her at times like this; she always knew how to cheer me up. Good ol' Yukari. I hope her parents let her visit me during the spring holiday like she last told me. I was brought out of my trance when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned my head to meet two bright blue eyes, Chid.

"Uh…Hitomi? How…how are you enjoying so far, here in California?" Squeaked Brain as he fumbled with his hands with light pink cheeks.

I blinked. Brain isn't a talkative person, but I guess with the uncomfortable silence anyone would have wanted to start a conversation. I grinned weakly, "It's okay."

Brain nodded, not making eye contact with me, "I hope that you like this school, it's not so bad."

"I hope so. Mom tells me you're very good in school," I said.

Brain lifted his head and beamed at me, "I work to my fullest."

I bet. I shook the idea aside and said instead, "Well, you're very smart."

Brain's ears turned a nice shade of pink, and he mumbled lightly to himself.

"Hitomi! There it is, right ahead!" my mom said happily while pointing to a large building to the horizon, it seemed very large.

The car grew closer to the school, and I could clearly see it, even the large plate to the right of the wall that said with golden letters, Austuria Academy. I whistled quietly, it seemed pretty fancy. Maybe too fancy. The building was tall and erected to the ground. It was made out of sandy colored bricks, and the roof of the school was made out of ginger colored tiles, having a slightly pointy top. The windows were wide, and I caught a slight glimpse of what was inside as Jeff made a jerk to the right to park the car.

As I slipped out of the car and shut the door close, I noticed the winding path that led to the entrance gates. I admired the green field that hid behind the bared fence, focusing on the track field. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as the familiar feeling overcame me.

"Isn't it lovely?" my mom asked me once she stood beside me.

"It is," I agreed as I faced her, noticing she was happier than usual. Becoming a little more curious about this, I asked her, "Can you tell me anything about this school?"

My mother opened her mouth to say something, but instead closed it and looked over her shoulder, at Jeff and the boys who were heading their way, "I don't really know, might want to ask the boys or Jeff."

"I know!" interjected Brain cheerfully. Than realising his rudeness, he blushed lightly while looking at the ground, " I mean, mind if I give a little bit of inside history?"

"Sure," my mom and I choired at the same time.

Brain nodded as he coughed professionally, "Well, as you probably know, in 1769 was when the first parties set from Baja California, and the line of Spanish settlement along the coast was inaugurated when soldiers and priests established a presidio and a mission church at San Diego. California had contact with Europeans around mid 1530's and was only attempted to be asserted under control by Spain after the Seven Years War, from 1756 to 1763.

This was done through a combination of military forts, known as presidios, and mission churches overseen by Franciscan fathers led by Junipero Serra, who is the founder of this school and others, or at that time missions. They had a purpose to convert the tribes to Christianity and train them for life in European colonial society. Conversion was seldom an entirely voluntary process, and converts, also known as neophytes, were not left to return their old ways but were required to live in walled missions enclosure or on rancherias, separated settlements sponsored by missions although located some distance from the mission proper.

They were taught Spanish as well as tenets of their new religion and trained in skills that would fit them for their new lives. The neophytes were to live at the missions only until this process of education was complete. As the native people of one region were Christianized and educated, the missionaries were to move on, leaving the old missions behind to become parish churches as they built new missions in more distant locations peopled by non-converted tribes. Christian natives or "Mission Indians" and their descendants remained at the missions until the system was abolished in 1834," Brain took a big breath, and blushed when he noticed that everyone was staring at him in wonder. That kid is a genius, and I still wonder why he hasn't graduated from school yet. Really, it's an insult that he's still in school, makes me feel really dumb and all. And he said a 'little' inside history?

"Well, as I was saying," Said Brain with regaining confidence, "This was once a missionary, and was later abandoned as the fathers moved out of the area and was later founded as a Catholic school for boys. Not until 1913 was it open for girls as well. Unfortunately in 1922, the owner of the school, sir Henry Lock, went bankrupt and the school was handed to the government and sold to the wealthy Aston family, who are still the owners and gave the name to Austuria, who was a brave woman in demand for rights for women and ran politics along side with her older brother, Anthony Aston. They were both ancestors of the family. And if I'm not mistaken, two of the family's children attend our school."

Everyone was still silent, until Jeff coughed nervously, "Yes, thank you Chid, that was…very good," Everyone nodded in agreement, even Barbie Boy.

"Now…let's see the school?" my mom asked as the tension died down.

I walked slowly around to the other side of the school, peering through the bared fence at the breezeways and stone columns. There was a small patio at the centre of the garden with some shrubs and flowers surrounding what looked like a statue of a woman, most likely Austuria. There were some seats for what I presumed to be for eating lunch and break time. The school consisted of two major buildings.

The first, which I suspected were the classrooms for middle school, and the second, must be for high school. From behind, I knew there was a running track with a large field and also a smaller building, which I think is the gym. All in all, this was no shabby place to learn, not at all.

"What do you think of it, Hitomi?" asked my mom.

I turned around to face her, "I think it's nice."

"I knew you would like it!" my mom said as she grabbed my hand while giving a gentle squeeze. My mom leaned in closer, and said something only I could hear, "and I hope you stay out of trouble here, too."

I rolled my eyes inwardly at this. I knew she would say something like that.

"Well," said Jeff with a huff as he clapped his hands together, "I think we are settled, right?"

While we were making our way back to the car, something triggered in my mind. Did Chid say that this school was constructed in the begging of the century? My face paled and I groaned inwardly. Wasn't having a ghost in my home enough? Must I go through the same things at school? When I had enough courage, I asked hoarsely, "Hey, Brai—I mean, Chid? When was the school constructed again?"

"The school was constructed from 1763 to mid 1764." Affirmed Chid proudly.

Shit. I feel like screaming in pure frustration. This school is more than two hundreds years old?? My lord, I don't want to think how many ghosts there are strolling around. Maybe this school isn't that good after all, for sure. Isn't there another one? I can deal with a hundred years, but two hundred? That's suicide. I felt a soft hand on my shoulder, making my jump a little as I was brought back to reality.

"Are you okay? You look very pale," My mom said softly as we stood in front of the car.

I swallowed, "I'm fine, really."

My mom looked at me for a long time, "Are you sure? Is there something you're not telling me?"

I shook my head, "No, I'm fine, really."

My mom looked at me again, with a funny look, but said nothing. I think she took the hint and dropped the subject. What a relief, at least she won't interview me on the problem or something. One of the benefits of having Jeff and company is the less amount of time I have with my mom. Okay, so maybe that's bad too. But I mean, she doesn't only give me attention, so it gives her less time to fickle about me. You know, questions endlessly about my nightly strolls and nag about my dressings. Of course, she still does that, but it has become less often.

I was back at my old seat, looking out the window again. I dropped my gaze and looked back at my watch, 2:17 p.m. There was enough time to get back to the beach and look around. About half an hour later, I was back to the same place I was three hours prior. I squinted my eyes as I looked at the people lying on beach towels baking themselves and splashing cool water while she tagged her family along. The sun was very intense and bright, and I wondered how I would live with such a high temperature.

"Well, we still have half an hour or so," sighed my mom when she saw the time on her own watch, "what should we do now?"

I shrugged; I was too bored to think at the moment. And it's not like we had that much time to do anything, and I certainly wouldn't want to loose that reservation, I was getting hungry myself…and the smell of meat with steaks dancing inside my head…it almost made my stomach rumble.

"Can I crash with the waves?" asked Barbie Boy eagerly as he flipped his bleached hair over his shoulder. I rolled my eyes, why couldn't he just use a hair band? If he was facing backwards to me, I could have easily mistaken him for a girl, minus the hairy legs and muscles. This also made me suspect if it hinted his sexual interest…I shuddered, I definitely do NOT want to go in that area of thinking.

"Definitely not," said Jeff with a frown.

"But dad," Barbie Boy wailed as he shut his eyes in a pleading manner. Oh boy…

"I said no, and it's a no," hissed Jeff warningly.

"But why?" Barbie Boy's face was priceless. He had the puppy face and pleading eyes, and his lip quivered slightly to give affect, quiet convincing.

"Because you'll get wet and you can't come in that state in a restaurant. And you only have half an hour, that not a lot of time in the water," reasoned Jeff.

Barbie Boy shut up, not before glaring silently at his father.

I shook my head; those two seemed more like bickering brothers than father and son. Funny, Bookworm and Brain hardly got into fights. Talking about Bookworm, he hardly spoke all day. I glance my eyes to bookworm's direction, and he was still engrossed on his horror novel.

"Are there any stores?" I asked uncertainly. I wasn't paying a lot of attention when we got inside the street again, but I did see some type of commercial business a while back.

"Yes! There's this small shopping mall, and I still need to get this pair of cutlery and kitchen soap," my mother murmured to herself.

I'll be honest to you, I hate shopping. I really do. I'm not one of those girls that enjoy buying clothes and spending money on make-up for their boyfriends. I'm too worried about staying alive and helping the dead with missions impossible. But at this particular situation, I felt like looking at the stores, even if I didn't buy anything, just for fun. And this is very odd for me, of course.

But my mom seemed happy enough that I suggested, since I'm acting more 'normal', and more my age, not to mention acting more like the daughter she wants me to be. You know, the pretty popular girl, the one that will be chosen as prom queen and must do manicure at least once a week. And yes, don't forget the mini skirts ladies.

Everyone seemed to agree with the shopping mall. We decided to go walking; since mom said it was very near by and might as well do some exercise. And my mother was right; in ten minutes flat we were there, standing in front of a the concrete building with large carved letters on the top centre, Californian Paradise. As I got in, a jet of cold air greeted me. I instantly shivered, but was never the less grateful. I'm not necessarily fond of saunas, if you know what I mean.

Finally, I looked around the small shopping mall. I bobbed my head in approval as my eyes glanced through the stores. It's pretty decent. Our family decided to meet each other back at the entrance in 20 minutes. I started wondering around, not sure where to go, until I stumbled across a music store, and quickly rushed in. Luckily, I had enough sense to bring money, unlike some people. But it wasn't much, but enough to buy one or two CD's. I started skimming through the isles, flipping through CD's and checking the songs of the singers. I was so immersed that I didn't notice someone heading my way, until…

BAM!!

Another body collided with mine and I lost balance, but didn't fall. The other person tumbled down, and some heads turned our way in curiosity and concern. My cheeks flushed with all the attention as I glanced at my 'bumper'. It was a girl. And as I kneeled down to help her, she had the lightest blue eyes I had ever seen, crystal blue to be exact. She had bushy light blonde hair, and glasses. She seemed to be a dork. If not for the clothes and the glasses she would look much better, although I must admit she was already pretty the way she was, "Oh, I'm so sorry!"

The girl blushed, "No, no! I'm the one that was clumsy, I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going," the girl stuttered a little, she seemed to be shy.

"Nah, it's okay," I said with a grin, she seems nice.

The girl lifted her head up from looking at the floor with a cheerful smile, "Let's start again, okay? My name is Millerna, what is yours?" She said while adjusting the CD's in her arms.

"My name is Hitomi, nice to meet you," I said while sticking my hand out for her to shake hands. Maybe she wasn't shy after all.

"Very nice to meet you," Millerna said with a giggle as she shook my hand.

There was a small pause, it was soon broken by Millerna's cheerful voice again, "Are you new here?" I haven't seen you around before."

I nodded my head, "To be exact, this is my second day, I just came yesterday."

"Oh! That's so cool! You see, we don't usually have many new people here. So when there are new comers, we have to celebrate!" Millerna said with a sparkle in her eyes. Wow. People are sure friendly here.

"Oh, well. I'm not really a new comer. See, my mom remarried, and the guy is a local—"

"Oh? Who is he?" Millerna interrupted eagerly, "I know most people who live here, so I'll know him."

"Well," I paused with a sigh, "you probably know him because he has three teenage boys."

Millerna had a perplexed face, "Are you talking about the Mckenzie's?"

"How did you know?" I asked amazed.

"Oh, you see, the Mckenzie boys go to my school, and Allen is in my grade. And I heard that his dad had remarried," Millerna said with a blush.

"They do? And you're in the same grade as Bar—I mean, Allen?" Wow, this is a small world after all.

"Yeah," Millerna said happily.

Something triggered in my mind, "Are you, by any chance, Millerna Aston?"

Millerna looked at me funny, "Yeah, how did you know?"

I scratched the back of my head, "Well…Brai—I mean, Chid was talking about the school history and he said that the descendants of Austuria Aston were two girls who attended the school…and you look very familiar from the statue,"

"Oh, me and my sister, Marlene," said Millerna, "are you going to our school than?"

"Yeah, and I'm gonna be in the same grade as you."

"Oh! That's so cool, I hope we're in the same homeroom!" Millerna said happily. Suddenly, Millerna stopped, and quickly looked to her pulse, where a nice watch was wrapped around her delicate wrist, "Christ! It's 2:56! Sorry—Hitomi, right? Well, I really have to go…I have lunch now…and my mom would kill me if I´m late!"

"Oh, that's fine. It was nice meeting you again," I said with the wave of my hand.

"Okay! I'll see you next week, Thursday!! Byeeee!!!" with that, Millerna was out the store, leaving the CD's she had been holding on one of the shelves. Umm, she's having lunch now; I wonder how much time is left befo—my eyes widened. I shuved my CD's in the shelve just as Millerna had done and ran all I was worth. Blast! I was supposed to be at the entrance almost ten minutes ago! I ran faster, and was closer to the entrance, and my heart clenched when I saw all of my family and my mother's face. I cursed mentally for talking so long, although it didn't feel long at all.

"Hitomi Iris Kanzaki, where were you?? You know you were supposed to be here 2:50 p.m.!" I cringed at my full name coming out of her lips, it only meant one thing: I'm busted. My mother's face was slightly pink with her arms crossed while she tapped her foot impatiently, "well??"

I gulped, "Well, you see…I was talking—"

"Talking??" my mom inquired.

"Mizuki? Let's drop it. Hitomi is here and we are not late, so it's fine. We better leave soon, otherwise we will be late," said Jeff civilly. God bless that man! I almost had the impulse to kiss him, almost.

"All right," my mother said with a huff.

We arrived at the restaurant punctually at 3:00 p.m. The manager had that same look on his face, and motioned us to the table at the window. He whistled for a waiter, and ushered the waiter to us. After that, he left quickly to whatever he was doing before. The restaurant was still busy, but not as busy as the last time I had stepped here. I shivered slightly. What's with Californians and high AC's? What gives? I shook my head when Jeff repeated what I would like to eat, and I replied quickly steak and French fries. A girl's gotta have her strength, you know? The rest of the family ordered more along the lines of meat, and the waiter left hurriedly, while clutching our orders like the other waiters I had seen earlier.

After 20 minutes or so, steaming plates arrived at our table. Boy, now I know why it was so busy for buffet this morning. This food is great. No, It's freakin' delicious!! I don't think I have ever eaten something so good, and so quickly! I was the first one to finish, and I felt a little embarrassed, because it was usually Barbie boy that was the pig. So, I was there, sitting uncomfortably and looking anywhere but the smirk that Barbie boy gave me while he stuffed his mouth full of beef and French fries. I was fidgeting with the hem of my sundress when I lifted my head to look at the counter table, and that was when I saw him.

My breath hiked in my throat, and suddenly, my heart raced quickly. I swear, my heart was so loud that everyone in the restaurant must have heard it, it was blaring in my ear! I tried to calm myself, but when I glanced at him again, I could feel myself blush and my heart rate only increased. He had shinning brown hair almost touching his shoulder, and the most gorgeous brown eyes I had ever seen—wait, Van's eyes are much nicer—WAIT! Change of subject, please.

Anyway, this handsome guy was talking to that arrogant manager, and than, as if he knew I was boring my eyes on him, he turned towards to me, and I swear he winked at me! I almost fainted at this, but instead I smiled timidly and turned towards the window, away from his prying gaze. I thought goofily to myself while I twirled my hair around my finger loosely, not even realizing my mother was talking to me. I think I'm in love.

WOW. That, for me at least, is the longest chapter I have ever written. So people, be generous with the reviews!! hehe;; lol! Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed, and yes! There are more esca characters in this fic! And guess what? Next chapter Hitomi is gonna go to school, and meet the other esca characters. So the story will get a little bit more interesting, and Van will return;;

I would like to say a special thanks to the site where I got the info about California:

http: memory.loc.gov/ammem/cbhtml/cbspanis.html

thank you so much!! Without you guys, Brain would be at a loss of words;; I'm no history text book, so thank you again! It's their words, not mine!!

Hey, this is an idea, should I do an e-mail up-date alert? This is just an idea, so if you want me to e-mail you for up-dates, just put your e-mail address in your review, or say you want to be added in the list if you are an author at And it can be any story, so if you want me to give news for other fics, tell me so. Anyway, thanks for reading, and thank you again for sticking to this fic, it's coming! It means so much to me when I read reviews, thanks for those who took the time to write them! you really love me! lol;; I hope you have an awesome week!!!!!!!!

hitomi-chan-

24/11/03