As I said earlier, I don't own FLCL or FF VII. I just like them a lot.

Thanks to those who have reviewed. Except CSBoggs. That review was just weird.

This chapter is a necessary evil, back round info. It also sort sets the seeds for a future fic, one I have planed for after I finish this one. Don't worry; the action will start up soon.

I also apologize for any delay. I've just been busy for a while.

Chapter 1: A Cold Calm before the Firestorm

To completely understand the events of the 23rd of January, 2004, I must explain the 22nd of January. While I still have questions about it myself I can at least explain what is certain.

The 22nd started like a normal day. At the beginning there was nothing out the usual.

My alarm had awoken me. I had a small desire to press the snooze button and return to my land of good dreams. But I had things to do before I went to school. Instead I rose out of bed only to realize too late it wouldn't have mattered either way. I saw at least a good 75 centimeters of snow on the ground.

So maybe things weren't completely normal. But it wasn't any thing out of the ordinary, at least where Masabe was concerned. For it to be considered out of the ordinary by Masabe standards half the town would have to be completely obliterated and even then it wouldn't make the front page of even my father's tabloid.

But what it would do is keep me out of school, which I glad about, though it was spoiled by a rude and unneeded awakening. Now the homework I needed to finish could have been done later.

Crap, I thought, I could have slept longer. Oh well, I wouldn't of been able to sleep anyway. I would have worried too much. But now I have no choice.

I quickly got dressed and entered the living room. I saw my just sitting there watching TV. When came in from the outside.

"So TV boy, will the hired help be able to get here? No? Too bad, you and dad will have to work by yourself today."

While my father's zine had skyrocketed in sales he still had the bakery open. It was probably to keep a nice influx of money in the house so he could waste all the money from the zine all on frivolous stuff. If you have ever seen my living it has a big-screen TV with premium cable. I question some of the things he does with the money. He tends to stay out late and I don't think he goes out just to see the river at night like Mamimi did

"Dad, may you switch to the news?" I asked my father. "I need to see if my school is closed." I was sure it was but the good people of Masabe aren't always in the right mind.

"Already have my son. Shiden High is closed till Saturday. Something about a roof collapse caused by a mixture of a failed terrorist attack and the snow building up," said Kamon. I would ask what his ulterior motive if didn't already know it. He was probably going to pay a visit my deranged history teacher a visit. I've had her since the 6th grade. The school keeps on moving her to where I go. Because of this she has been driven madness since every car she has bought in the past 4 has been destroyed because of me, Canti, or an MM robot. He was probably thinking that she is in weakened state since it was most likely her who caused the roof collapse (Gaku said he saw her looking up explosives on the internet). Boy is he in for a surprise, I thought, She'll probably kill him. She partially blames him for the BMW and the Porsche. Plus he is pervert which she despises. I wonder if Eri's parents could adopt me when he dies (I couldn't just live here with gramps).

I decided not to make things long and hurried with breakfast. Because of the snow I could now do whatever I wanted. Instead of having my morning clogged with homework I didn't do, I could now explore the town and hang out with my friends. So I immediately called Gaku on my cell phone (as I said before, having a scumbag of a dad has its advantages) and said, "Meet me at the usual place. Also tell Masashi and Eri-san."

"Will do. Expect for us to get there in an hour," he replied and then hung up.

I got my coat and got out of the house. I didn't need to tell my father; he neither cared nor would have noticed my absence. As I left, I admired Canti's good shoveling Job.

Now if only he did the streets. Does the city care or is it really that bad? I thought as I tried walking on the streets. The streets were horrendous. The snow was too deep to even walk in. In the end I opted to walk the river, since the ice would have most likely frozen above the snow and a small amount of snow would keep me from slipping.

I haven't thought about since then, but that day was beautiful. Especially on the river, which was a walk down memory lane for me. As I walked down the river I thought about how my life had changed in past couple years.

Mamimi had left Masabe. For the first year, I didn't hear much from or about her. It wasn't until she had made it big she contacted me. Now she tours not only Japan but the world, taking pictures of many things and places sending me souvenirs from places like Italy, France, and lately the Middle East. She also occasionally contributes to my father's zine Come On, Masabe.

But as I passed the bridge where Mamimi used to hang out, I thought, I miss her thought, I miss her. She hasn't returned to Masabe for 3 years.

My brother is now one of the most recognized and revered names in major league baseball, but there is always a looming fear that his very strange personal life will be discovered. His current girlfriend was a bisexual, and a swinging one at that, so if that ever got out to the press it wouldn't be good. Also, and very ironically he was having an affair with a member of the press and a woman he rejected so many years ago, Samji Mamimi (oddly enough one of the first things she did when she got to America was watch a baseball game. I wonder why.).

As for my friends Gaku and Masashi, they were just doing great. They along with me and Ninamori had gotten high enough scores to get in the gifted class of Shiden High. They are doing so well that full college scholarships are almost guaranteed. They seemed to be walking on air.

Then there was Eri. While she was doing just as well, there always seemed to be a sad look in her eyes. I felt she had a slight longing for something. It had been like this for 3 years, I thought. At the time I couldn't figure what it was. The best I could foolishly come up with she felt so betrayed about her father's affair. I was wrong….

But let's not get into that. I really don't think you need to know about that at this.

Lastly is also the Commander Amuruo. He had also changed in the 3 years. He seemed no longer moved by revenge as he once was. He was still idiot (and a self-important prick), just less of one. He has given up on anything to do with Haruko and has new obsessions (though he still comes to me to make sure nothing is coming out of my head).

Everything has changed, I thought as I neared my destination made it to my destination, Most for the better, since MM has gone. But is it worth what I lost. I miss Mamimi. And there is also something else missing. Something that I got near the end of MM's rule.

But that, I believe, I can't get back.

I could then see it, The Masabe Gallery. It was my destination at that time. It's one of the best places in Masabe. It's a place that encourages free and creative thinking. It also has a restaurant (which I came for that day) and an arcade.

Ironically it was built on the ground where the Medical Mechanica plant, a place devoted to dulling and flattening the mind, once stood. It was built just 2 months after Medical Mechanica's big move to a flipped spot out of Masabe.

As I said before it was a place that supported the arts. It had a world class museum, an art club, a place for guitarist for to jam, and even an open mic in the restaurant. If anything, the Gallery was like the Anti-MM. Come here to free us from MM oppression 2 months late.

I finally walked back towards the road, which (at the point that I was at) was clear of snow. That meant two things to me. First was that my friends would have no problem getting there. Second was that it would be as populous as usual which meant getting a table would be a problem.

It shouldn't be too bad though. Only parts of Masabe are cleared. Probably most people still can't get out of their homes.

As I neared it I my hopes of getting a table easily disappeared since there was line out of the door.

Ah Crap. Well it seems everyone wants a nice expensive meal on their day off.

I had no choice but to get in line. I couldn't just walk around the gallery waiting for the line to get shorter for I wasn't so delusional to think that would happen. Then I would have one of the attendants wait outside to inform Gaku, Masashi, Ninamori. I had to wait about quarter of an hour before I got in.

When I did get out of the cold I heard a waitress yell, "Hey Naota! I see you got the day off. Some of us aren't so lucky." It was a girl by the name of Nami. For some strange reason she was always my waitress when I ate at the Gallery. She was nice, hard working (but clumsy) girl. But she always seemed a little out of place. Sort of like Mamimi, Haruko, or Tasku felt.

"Well, the rest of us go to school like they should. The last time I checked, there were already enough cute waitresses." I replied. She was actually only 17 years old. I could never explain why she didn't go to school, and she never honored me with an answer. I honestly think she made a big mistake with her life, but she may have a point. She probably didn't want the pressure of trying to compete to go into a school.

She replied, "I didn't think you where the academic type. I know you are in that advanced class, but you seem to take a lot of days off. And I'm not talking about ones like today. Maybe I should call the school to see what disease you have." That ended the conversation. I had played a little hooky and I usually hanged out there during my unscheduled days off. I usually imitated my father and had Canti get my homework.

After that uncomfortable point, I attempted to change the subject by saying, "Let's get off academics. I have to worry about that on normal days. I have today off. Shouldn't you be getting me a table right now" I heard her grumble a little, she was angry that I ended her fun.

"So where are your friends? You usually don't come alone. Excluding your 'sick days' that is," the waitress asked.

"Don' worry, they'll be coming. And because of that, I'll need a table for four," I replied, remembering I had to get seats for Gaku, Eri, Masashi. As we walked inside, I (as usual) admired the Gallery's mix of old, new, and things that haven't even been created. The restaurant section itself was felt like a mix of a four star restaurant, with a café of current times.

"Well, here is your table, kid. Is there anything I can get you, or are you going to wait for your friends as usual?" she asked as I sat.

"Just a cup of coffee for now," I said, getting adjusted to the seat.

"I'll get it for you soon, Takkun," she said jokingly, looking for a reaction. After Haruko and Mamimi left, I had a five day vacation from my brother's name. Then one day Masashi and Gaku started joking around, calling me my brother's name just to piss me off. They knew it was aggravated me so they kept on calling me it. Unfortunately a couple of my classmates heard this. They started calling me it afterwards. It then caught on like wildfire and just as many people called me Takkun as they did Naota.

For that infraction I said, "For that comment, my cloning better be here at the end this sente-." Before I finished the sentence a coffee cup flew through the air and landed safely on my table. Its contents included a black substance.

"Th-that was, um, fast," I said looking amazed at Nami's speed.

About 5 minutes later two people walked in. One had short black hair and was wearing glasses. The other longish blond hair and was wearing some of the latest clothing.

"Gaku, Masashi. I didn't expect you so early," I said as my two buddies came towards the table. They were actually just on time, but since they were usually late

"Well I got a ride from my mom and Masashi drove here in his father's truck," said the geekish and slightly perverted Gaku.

"Thanks for inviting us here, but please tell me you're paying," said the slightly self centered Masashi. He was probably the coolest of my friends, maybe excluding the rich and powerful Eri.

"Don't worry man, I'm paying. Remember my father's zine is doing well and my brother is a Major League baseball star. I'm almost as rich as Ninamori!" I exclaimed. "But get off that. Anything interesting happen on this snow filled day, Gaku?" asking the gossip a question I know he would answer.

"Something very interesting, actually. I was telling Masashi as we got in," Gaku replied. "You know that the school day off was caused by a roof collapse. I think you have guessed that our teacher is involved. But what you don't know is how involved.

"Here is basically what happened. I heard this from one of the police officers who was viewing the surveillance tapes. She was setting up bombs all over the school last night. She was planning to get revenge on her coworkers and you (which can be proven by the kilo of C4, under your desk). She was probably planning on taking today off and waiting for the bombs to go off; killing everyone. Fortunately she didn't account for the snow or the cheapness of the school. As she was placing a pack of plastic explosives on a window (for what reason I don't know), the window cracked open. Luckily at the time it was snowing real hard and one of the explosives she had placed in the area was very volatile. When a snowflake melted on it, the bomb when off. It then started a chain reaction of all explosives she had placed. I imagine Mau-chan was stuck in the middle of the classroom as the bombs went off, dancing to the explosions. In the end when they were searching the rubble of the classroom they found a very disturbed woman crouching saying the words, 'It's his entire fault this happened. That brat, it's his fault.' I wonder who she was talking about."

So my fears were more than right. At the time I found myself lucky. If a single snowflake hadn't gotten in the window, I'd be on the other side by then. Usually someone in a situation like this would get a new lease on life, but my file cabinet was already too full of them.

Masashi then said, "I'd watch your back Naota. Especially after this, I think she wants you dead."

I then started to laugh, "So she wants to kill me. Let her try. If her future attempts are as successful today, I think I'll never have to school again! Compared to the robots of MM, an insane terrorist teacher is nothing. What I should really be afraid of is Eri. Her diabolical plans to kill me could actually work."

"Speaking of Eri-san, where is she?" asked Gaku.

Masashi then replied, "Ah she is probably running late. Little miss future Queen of Masabe probably has to dance to her father's loyal subjects. Come on, Naota lets order."

While I could have waited for Eri, I saw my friends' patience was running low. Anyway I thought I she could order when she got here. So when Nami swung by, we ordered

I made a big mistake.