YUKI

The Throwbacks. Somehow that's the name everyone seemed to agree on. It's not like we have the name sewn onto the backs of our jackets, or matching signature tattoos or anything stupid like that. It wasn't official to us. In fact, we aren't even the ones who decided on the name. People just started to call us that, and it stuck with us. I guess you can say they're right; we are considered the throwbacks of society, the good-for-nothings, the punks, the outcasts, the 'mislead', the bad lot, the wrong crowd . . . you get the picture.

Even the teachers don't like walking past us in the halls, and I'd be lying if I said we didn't have a lot of fun being pains in the ass. We like to make scenes, shake things up a bit, go a little nuts. Somebody's gotta make life interesting, right? Outside of school, people cross the street to avoid us, especially if we look like we're in a rowdy mood.

I'm not sure who decided I would be in charge. It was sort of a unanimous thing. There's really no such thing as a 'captain' in the gang. Everybody is their own person, basically, and we don't actually give or take orders. But we need someone for guidance, and all of us know that. When Akito, or old 'leader', was killed last year, the gang just sort of looked to me for direction. I couldn't turn down the position. I know these kids too well. If nobody stepped up to take control, then we'd fall apart or end up doing something stupid like get caught up with the police. Where we come from, all we have is each other, and we can't afford to not get along. It's stick together or be stranded alone with no protection. None of us want to admit it, but we all depend on each other for more than just friendship.

Akito had never been a good leader. He was so strict than the rest of us, and since we hated him so much we had problem backing down when he told us off. He was so forceful, but he didn't need to be. He got his message across loud and clear with raising a fist. He was the kind of guy who wouldn't help an old lady with her groceries if he saw that she was having trouble. He'd never dive in the middle of a busy highway to rescue a puppy from getting run over. When he was shot last year, we all missed his strisctness. But still, we're glad. He was our rock, and the group has never been the same since then. It's not easy to fill in for him, but I always remember that he tried to bring out the best of us and make us feel like we were more than just street hoodlums. Sometimes I get the feeling that I'll never be as good as he was. I feel like I can never be as strong for the gang as he could be.

Shigure is the oldest one in the group, and also the slowest. He's 27, tall, heavy, muscular, and sports the weirdest hairstyle you can imagine. It continues to defy gravity in the weirdest way, and I still haven't figured out how he manages to make it do that. He loves nothing more than to cause trouble, and he is quite good at it. I have a habit of saying that he is trouble-prone, and I'm not far from the truth. He's a pretty decent guy though, once you get past that idiot surface. He's probably the most loyal person you'll ever meet. Surprisingly, he's a huge fan of novel writers, but you'd never guess that last part just by looking at him.He's Akito's close "servant" and fiercely devoted to him. When he died, Shigure tried not to let it get him down, but he never really got rid of that sad lost look in his eye.

Haru is our voice of reason, even though he is the most feared member of the gang. He's an eighteen year old punk, and –everybody- knows it.He used to hate me before. Then one day, I actually spelled out of him who he really is. Since it happened, he sort of became devoted to follow me. When I'm not around, Haru's pretty much in charge. After the incident, he's a little colder and tougher, but at the same time he seems more vulnerable and lost. Haru is tall and well built with spiky white hair and gray eyes that could crack a stone in half with one look. He's obviously a looking-for-fight dude, but intimidating with a capital I. Anyone with half a brain knows not to piss him off unless they want a million kicks crashing down on their ass.

Momiji is the youngest of us, as we all like to remind him every now and then, but that does not mean that kid is any less frightening. Don't let his cute littleboy build fool you, or his perky blonde hair and brown eyes. When he's mad, he's dangerous. Momiji is a thirteen year old kid, and even though he's tiny, he's a vicious fighter with more tricks up his sleeve than anyone I know. Of course, when he's not mad he's really a total sweetheart with a wicked flirting streak. Momiji's definitely the most talented thief in the whole city. He could probably steal the stars out of the sky if he really wanted to. He's never been caught for stealing, but if he ever was, I don't doubt that he could sweet-talk his way out of any trouble. Since he dresses in a less-than-conservative way,girls are practically panting for him, and he enjoys every minute of it.

Kyo is my age, you will not meet a cockier, more arrogant little son of a bitch. He's always teased around by Uo, but he picks on her constantly and never seems to get tired of pointing out everyone's faults. Even so, it's damn near impossible not to like the guy. He's a real charmer and he knows it. He has a way with women that most guys would die for. He's a short tempered guy and can hotwire a car in less time than it takes to scratch your ass. He keeps the good times rolling with his sense of humour which is more or less just him being a little jerk. People are scared of him just because his attitude is bad. Honestly though, Kyo's not a bad guy and comes in handy to have around. He's cool and street smart, and knows the whole city better than the back of his hand. He's loyal to the gang, and in any fight I wouldn't complain to have him guarding my back.

Kisa is the strong silent type.Paine's tough as nails, and I wouldn't be surprised if she took on any man and kicked his ass thoroughly, never once complaining about her own injuries. She is the ultimate cutest girl andlikes being called referred to as a 'girly girl'. We don't know much about what goes on in her head, but she's trustworthy and lives for a good fight. She has really pretty blonde hair and a brown glare that strikes most people stupid with nerves.Kisa is sort of the glue that holds us together. When none of us can agree on something and even Shigure's words of wisdom aren't helping, Kisa is usually the one that can calm things down. Just her being there is calming, sort of reassuring. Without her, we would have fallen apart many times, and we all have the utmost respect for her.

Hiro is the coldest one. He sort of likes Kisa and is a gentleman before. But that had changed when Akito treats Kisa out of the group. He never trusts anyone except Kisa. But I know deep inside him, he's still that gentleman who used to like Kisa.

Kagura is the hyper one. She loves Kyo so much that she even over-react anytime around him. She is our "used-to-be-cute girl" because guys easily falls for her tricks. But still, she is a nice girl who cares a lot about her friends & would definitely do everything especially to Kyo.

They are my gang, my friends, and my family. I would never in my life admit this to any of them (or anyone else for that matter), but each of them means a lot to me. I am who I am because they were there with me every step of the way, watching my back and picking me up when I fell down. I like to think that in some way, aside from being 'the leader', I've helped them all too.

0000000000000000

The street outsideour apartment building is unusually quiet. I step outside into the grey morning light, mildly surprised that there are no gunshot echoes or the sound of angry voices shouting. I look around and see nothing but a piece of trash caught in an updraft, drifting down the dirty street. A homeless man is sleeping off the sidewalk across the street, holding a wine bottle loosely in his relaxed hand.

"Mornin', Boss," I hear a familiar voice drawl. I smirk and turn around to see Kyo heading towards me, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets. As usual, he's wearing his old red jacket that has more holes than a minefield and a dark green bandana holding back his blonde bangs. 'Boss' is a personal nickname the gang calls me. It's a joke, really, but in a way I kinda like it.

Every morning we all walk to school together, but I don't know why we even bother with it. It has been two weeks since school started up again, and none of us have been on time once. We don't take school seriously. I figure we see it as just another way to pass the time. In reality, almost all of us have been held back a grade at least once, not because we're stupid, but because we just didn't take our work seriously. Momiji's probably the only one who cares about his grades, and has a chance to make it to university, but he refuses to leave the gang. Actually, sometimes I enjoy school. I really like Art, even though I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a red-hot iron poker than confess it to anyone.

"Mornin', Cat," I reply, using his nickname.Kyo just lives here with me & Shigure. The kind of place where the paint is always newand most of the windows are new too, covered only by plastic stretched across the wood frame.

The two of us walk together down to Haru and Kisa's house, which is just around the corner. Thetwo live with their mom in a run down shack stuffed between a porn shop and an auto repair garage. As Kyo and I come around the corner we see them leaving their house to come meet us. Haru is dressed in his typical black jacket, a strange design he put together herself, and his hair has held back his usualspiky hair. It's cool on him, especially the jacket. Haru's unique like that. He can wear anything and make it look good.Kisa is dressed in a tight dark grey t-shirt with a cool design on the chest and loose boys jeans that hide her legs. Over it all she is wearing a huge black hoody with the top half left open like she does everyday, even in the blistering heat. I've always seen her in a dress or anything feminine in my life.

"Youtwo are looking fabulous as usual," Kyo says as he drapes his arms around their shoulders.Kisa only grunts to acknowledge his flirting, andHaru just rolls his eyes andpushed him off, coming up to walk beside me.

We talk for a few minutes about nothing in general before we meet up with Shigure and Momiji, who both live with me & Kyo. Shigure lives with us, and Momiji lives with his dad and brother in a small duplex they share with a bitter old woman who owns about twenty-seven cats. The whole place always smells like cat piss, no matter where you go in it.

As usual, Momiji's hair is up in a looseand is dressed similarly to a street corner hooker. He has tight black thigh-high boots, a short red and black plaid short, and a red shirt. He winks at us as he approaches, and Shigure lifts his hand in a casual wave. He is wearing a black leather jacket, a white wife beater, and black jeans with holes in the knees.

"Are we this late every morning?"Haru asks dryly, even though by the tone of his voice we can tell he already knows the answer.

"Duh," Shigure snorts. "It's just school, Haru. Nothing to get so uptight about ok?"

"Yeah, but I think Shorty's getting sick of having detention every week," I say, referring to Momiji, and nudge him in the side. His face scrunches up into a frown, partly from my comment, and partly from the old childish pet name.

"That creep Professor Kinoc is always trying to look down my shirt. That's the only reason why he keeps me in all the time," she says with an irritated sigh.

We are twenty minutes late by the time we finally reach Kaibara High School. As far as schools go, it's actually pretty good. Kids from our area of town are really lucky to be able to go to it instead of one of the ghetto schools we used to attend. It's a public school, and all kinds of students go there, rich or poor. Me and the gang figured it was mostly a prep school, since over half the student body is full of airheads. Not that most of us are particular geniuses at school, but at least we aren't stupid. Except for Shigure, but he's more slow than stupid, even though he had to repeat the twelfth grade. It's pathetic to see the Jocks and the Princesses strutting around like they own the damn place, treating us like the contents of a toilet.

We cut through the parking lot towards the front door when something bright catches my eye. I turn to my left and catch my breath. Momiji stops and grabs Kyo's arm, inhaling sharply. Kyo stares with his one good eye, a delighted grin spreading over his face.

We are facing the most beautiful silver Porsche I have ever laid eyes on in my life. It gleams in the sunlight like an angel's halo, just begging us to come over and say hi. Even Kisa and Haru, who aren't normally interested in cars, look intrigued. Shigure is shaking his head in wonder.

"Oh, dudes . . ." Kyo says excitedly, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Imaging the horse power on this baby!"

"Check out the interior," Momiji pipes up, leaning in to peek through the sparkling windows. "Leather seats, CD changer AND fabulous speaker system, satellite navigator, DVD player . . . man, this shit is tight!"

"We gotta jack this thing," Kyo says bluntly, staring at me as if it were the only thing in the world left to do. I see the others look at me expectantly for a response and I feel my 'leadership' instincts stirring.

"No," I say finally, ignoring his crestfallen expression. "We can't do it in broad daylight. Anyone could be watching."

"Aw, come on, Boss!" Momiji pleads, grasping my hand. "Kyo and I can do it in less than a minute! Let us do it, please? PLEASE?"

"Cut it out, Momiji," I say firmly, shaking him off. "I said no. I don't want you doing it period, anyway. If you get caught, the cops could trace you back to us and bring us all down with you. I'm not going to risk it, we're in enough shit with the police already. Just let it go, all right?"

Both Momiji and Kyo stare at me in disbelief, like I had hit them or something. Momiji looks like he wants to scream at me, and Kyo looks like he wants nothing more than to punch my lights out. But I could take either one of them easily, and they knew it. My word was final.

We leave the Porsche eventually, and I pay no attention to the yearning looks in Momiji, Kyo, and Shigure's faces. I know they'll get over it before the day is over.

Inside the building we go to our lockers, which are all conveniently placed close to each other in the same hallway. Laughing and talking loudly, we split up and head to our classes. I am the only one who has to go to a class by myself this morning, and with a sigh I make my way down to Spiran History. Yay.

As I push the door open, Professor Maechan squints up at me with his beady little eyes and then stares at me warily.

"So glad you chose to join us, Mr. Sohma," he says sternly. I salute him with one casual finger and stroll over to my desk, rolling my eyes as he tells me to see him after school for detention. Why does he bother anymore? He knows I won't show up. A young mousey-haired girl named Karen is staring at me nervously. She's scared shitless of me, ever since the gang and I cornered her and asked if she likes me. I leer at her and she flinches, looking away sharply. I snicker at her and head to my desk, pleased with myself.

Across the room from me I see a pair of dark brown eyes staring at me. I turn my head and end up looking directly at Motoko, a tall exotic looking girl with sultry lips and legs that go on for miles. She's the most popular girl at school simply because she's kind of a slut. Motoko winks at me and smiles, and I raise an eyebrow carelessly in response. I dated her once,but she got too clingy and wanted a relationship, when all I wanted was a good lay. So, I dumped her, and she's been trying to win me back ever since. But I don't trust her. As soon as she lets me date with her again, I know she'll try to be my 'significant other'. She can have any pick of the litter around here, so I don't know why she wastes her time begging me to come back. As far as I'm concerned, Motoko can go throw herself in front of traffic.

I have a long string of girlfriends behind me, but never anything serious. They were all just three week long flings that never went anywhere beyond a good ride in the sack. At the moment I'm single, but I always keep a sharp eye out for new prey.

Speaking of which . . .

The door opens suddenly and somebody new steps in uncertainly. Everyone looks to the door, including me after I tore my gaze away from Motoko. I find myself staring into a pair ofblue green eyes. I blink in surprise and realize that I am looking at a girl I've never seen before.

"Professor Maechan?" she says quietly to the old man up at the front. "I'm Tohru Honda. I transferred here from WB Prep, and the secretary sent me to this classroom."

"Ah, yes, Miss Honda, such an honour! I am so very pleased to have the daughter ofMrs. Honda in my very class. Kindly take your seat over there behind Miss Ferguson in the back. Welcome to Kaibara high," Maechan says cheerfully, gesturing to a girl named Elma who sits right next to me. A surprised murmur ripples around the room at the mention of Honda.

I stare at this Tohru girl, who is smiling politely but shyly at us. WB Prep? The richest, snobbiest private school in the whole city? And her mother is, the one who owned the mall! I don't think Kaibara has ever had a famous celebrity's kid attend the school, none other than the rich woman.

She's kinda hot, I have to admit, in a humble sort of way. I watch with fascination as her brown hair shines in the light pouring in from the window, the way her light skin looks like it's glowing. Her hips sway as she walks, clueless as to how attractive they are, and her legs look smooth and sleek. I notice her clothing, which is far from designer material. She doesn't dress like a millionaire; knee-length flower pattern skirt that hugs her figure, white blouse with the top half left open to reveal a dark purple tank top underneath, silver charm bracelet, white tennis shoes . . . she looks more like a librarian than a celebrity's daughter. Even so, nearly every pair of male eyes are examining her just as closely as I am while she walks down the aisle.

Everyone stares at her as she makes her way to her desk, which is quite close to me in the back. She hugs her books to her chest and keeps her pretty eyes down to the floor, obviously uncomfortable under everyone's curiosity. Strangely, I want her to look back at me so that I can have a closer look at those mismatched eyes.

As if reading my thoughts, she suddenly lifts her face up and stares directly at me. Her eyes locked onto mine, and for just a moment it held. I don't even blink, but before I can control myself I grin at her. Are my eyes are playing tricks on me, or did I just see the faint trace of a smile on her lips? But the moment ended soon. Too soon, in my opinion. She looks away once again as she takes her seat and opens her books.

Even though she doesn't look back in my direction, I find that Spiran History has just become much more interesting.