Disclaimer: Same as previous chapter, unless it isn't which it isn't…huh?

Authors Notes: To Jingle Bells: Thank you for reviewing my story and I'm glad you're looking forward to more. As for the Keigo/Tatsuki thing…hey come on, I just started. Also as a side note, this story is not canon in any sense considering I'm only up to volume four in the manga, so if any of you have issues, feel free to correct me.

History and Her

Chapter Two: Bloody Covers

You know, for a guy claiming to be 'in the know' about all things in style, I'm usually about six feet from being in the loop about almost anything else.

Guys reading adult mags are a pretty common thing, guys getting beat up for reading adult mags are a slightly less common thing, however, guys getting beat up by girls for reading girly mags are a little more common, right?

"Guys…seriously, it's not what you think." I say with about as much confidence as…wait…what's that science term…the space one? Damn, Ichigo would know. Not left with many options I duck my hands behind my back. Or at least I try to before Tatsuki grabs my right arm in what felt like her 200kg grip.

"Keigo, what the hells the matter with you!?" she yells, yells right in my ear. Of course that's not enough, no, oh no, people start staring. Not at Tatsuki though for fear of their asses being royally handed to them on a silver platter, but rather at me, Keigo Asano…the unknown boy. Despite Tatsukis' anger, I can hear Mizuiro chuckling behind her.

"Keigo, we're all curious, but you can't let yourself get caught like that." He said like a bigger brother would, hell the guys like half my height! I was about to give him a look that said "Not helping idiot!", but I was too busy wondering if any feeling would ever come back ever to my poor right arm. I needed that arm…for…stuff. Thinking it would be best just to start muttering an apology I then looked to Chad, who in turn just nodded. Damn it Chad, I'm not a perv! You know that!

"Curious? What do you mean curious?" Orihime said. Mizuiro not realizing of course that he was about three feet or so from walking death decided to begin explaining the details of a good ol' fashioned skin mag.

"Well Orihime, those books, those magazines are for-"suddenly my right arm was free, and at just that instant both of Mizuiros were not.

"Tatsuki, why are you doing that? And why is Mizuiro turning that color?" and then the bell!

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After what feels like who knows how long, the day finally ends, the school day anyway. Walking down some stares and saying some goodbyes to people I think I know (I'm not trying to be deep or anything I just honestly can't say for sure if they know my first name.) I keep going down the halls until I reach the stairs. Ah, that feels nice, an autumn breeze to add a little of the old theatrical touch to my solo walk.

Alone? Yeah I walk alone; it's really not a big deal. I mean let me explain, I live in Naruki, kind of far, kind of not I guess. I could always bug one of my parents to drop me off at school but they're busy people and hey, a little exercise never hurt, right? The walk takes awhile, but I get to go my own way, considering I'm not really a part of any clubs or sports or anything it's relaxing.

Anyway, the reason I walk alone, wait, let me back up to the golden age of comics. Or actually back to when me and my buds all walked home together. Let's see, from what I can remember me and Mizuiro were friends first, and then we met Ichigo and Tatsuki. Being the mature gents we were, we would have taken offense to walking home with a girl (don't give me that look! We were like what? Eight?) But, well, we didn't actually realize that Tatsuki wasn't a boy until some time later, like a few months at least. Funny little event that was let me tell you, but not now, later.

Everything was pretty cool for awhile, a little while anyway. But at some point, I don't know. I mean I don't want to sound like some typical teenage idiot pretending to be Shakespeare or anything but I guess in a manner of speaking…reality hit and hard, for one of us at least. When Ichigos' mom died, we were all affected, Ichigo obviously was hit by and far the hardest, but eventually we were all effected if only a little bit. Ichigo quickly started talking less and frowning more and along with Tatsuki hit the dojo harder and more often.

From there Ichigo and Tatsuki sort of broke off from the rest of us, and even a little from each other as Orihime got friendly with Tatsuki. It went on for a few years pretty much the same, Chad had his growth spurt and got into loud shirts, Mizuiro got "cute" and the girls (and certain guys, I never let him live those times down!) began to notice.

So, Mizuiro had his girls and Chad had, it's kind of weird, Chad just sort of went off and began doing his own thing. Don't get me wrong he still hung out with all of us, but there would be times when he would disappear and just as quickly come back. These returns were usually marked with a few scars and ripped shirts, but hey the "Living Tank" could and would brush it off so why should we poke?

Not to interrupt your regularly scheduled flashback sequence but I feel the need for some music about now. Music has always had a place in my mind, if only for making the walk back to Naruki go a little quicker. Good, "Orange Range" by Asterisk, good song and even made better by the fact it's the full mix not the 1:35 demo they have floating around out there. I don't even want to get into how many freaking download sites I had to slog through to get to this gem; it's practically like a child. I'm not serious don't worry, you worried?

I keep walking, keep going, see people all around me. Walking alone is no big thing; it's just me I guess. Still when I'm alone like this I get some time to think which as cliché ironic as it may seem I just can't seem to do in school. I get to thinking about my friends, and I don't know, I feel like I'm out of place even with all of them. They all have their "thing" that they do, their own little (niche? yeah niche works) and again maybe I'm just nuts but it's like they're all connected in some way a guy like me can't…whatever, never mind.

What stopped my little long thought there was not some grand answer or something, or even me stepping in dog crap. What stopped me was me seeing a certain bastard from my school, so much of a bastard in fact that I stash my CD-Player.

"Names Oshima ya dick, remember it!" the orange haired ass hole yelled out. Damn it, of all the alleys I had to pass on my way home, I had to happen by this little pissers stomp session with some poor slob from our class. His back is to me as I pass so I don't have to worry about him touching me, just have to keep walking I'm just a few blocks from home, it's not my problem. Not my problem, not my problem, shit, it's not my problem, it's not my problem. Keep going, keep walking, no you idiot, don't stop, don't look back. It's not, I repeat, NOT your problem.

"Oshima, what the hells your issue?" I yelled…wait…I yelled? Maybe he didn't hear-

"Who the fu- Oh it's one of Strawberry Ass' little playmates. The hell you doing out here?" the carrot top asshole asks me, damn, I'm shaking, why the hell did I have to have my heavy stuff in my bag today!? Dropping his current appointment he stomps over to me to show off his one skull height advantage. Looking around, almost cautiously he looks back.

"Chad and Strawberry aren't with you? You on your own boy?" at this point, the guy on the ground takes off (So much for loyalty among the bullied.) I don't say a thing, he shoves me, I grimace, he shoves me again, I don't do anything, I glare, he shoves me again.

"I don't get you Asano. You're obviously a little pussy, but you get another pussy off without either of your manly bitches around to-"

"Stomp your jailbait poser ass into the ground?" did I say that? Damn, for just a minute there I sounded like a badass, like Ichigo or something. Then I can the twitch in his eye, the almost double take at his surprise. He was probably as surprised as me. Not too surprised to kick me in the stomach apparently. A slam over my head and I'm on my knees.

"What the hell did you say bitch?! Who the fuck do you think you are?!" Suddenly as if the great spirit of jackasserey graced Oshimas mind with the revelation that my back pack might just might be heavy, he put something down, I can only assume it was his foot as he stepped me down again and again into the delicious pavement.

"I got news for you Jack Ass! You're not Kurosaki, and you're not Chad! You don't say shit to me but to kiss my ass!" again, into the cement. "You're nothing, you're Keigo shitting Asano!" again. "You're a loser, a poser, what…the hell?" again I'm tasting rock, and I feel spit on my hands. Then I remember with dread that I left my pack open, shit, my history book!
"Modern History and its Effects on Contemporary Events? What the hell is this crap? You into history limp dick? Here's some modern history for you-"I didn't have to guess at what he was going to do. I could see it in my mind. Ripping, spitting MY book.

My name is Keigo Asano; I live in Naruki, Tokyo Japan. I'm in high school, I happen to like cute girls and I also like history, I'm addicted to it, studying it, learning it, watching it. Next to honey hunting or cutie catching it's the best thing in my world right now.

"This looks expensive, maybe I should just take it off your-"before the carrot top can even realize, my back pack is off and I'm standing. Oshima, that book is mine! Before I know it I punched him. I punched him, twice. Three times, and then for a little more pay back I kick him where to the best of my judgment he kicked me. My book topples out of his hand, and forgetting for just a moment-

"Damn man, stay the hell away from-"Oshima screeches before I rotate my history book into his greasy poser ass face, that nose rings gotta go ass. He's only on the ground a few seconds; he scrambles up and with a look up, here and there. The coward takes off.

Man, I'm panting like a dog, bleeding like a dead one and the book I just saved is smeared with some blood.

"…" I try to talk to myself. Thinking a moment on the moments that just happened, I can't help but ask…what the hell!? The breeze autumn makes a second show and I get to walk home with it and, something else that I haven't had in awhile.

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"I'm home." I say to my dad, currently reclining in TV land. I say hi to him and my mom, but I instead get the old degree.

"Keigo, what happened to you?" my Mom asks. Oh yeah, I forgot my shirt was ripped and I happen to have some dirt and stuff on my face…and blood.

"Did something happen at school, someone hit you?" my dad asks getting up, with my mom getting some band aids and that bane awful iodine. I have something now guys, I have my own something.

"Mom, Dad, I'm fine really, just a little baseball with Ichigo, Chad and Tatsuki. They play a little rough, especially those dojo rats, ya know?" I laugh it off and thank the manga stars at CLAMP they believe me, well, Ichigo and Tatsuki are kind of that way and Chad's a tank. Dubbing down the medical treatment to a shower, I salute to the best of my comical ability and jet off to my room. Once there I set down the book on my desk and sit down without even thinking I start to thumb the blood stains, the book, the one I fought for…dude, I fought for something, I know this sounds stupid and immature and all that but…that is so bitchin'.

Looking at the blood stains, I consider for exactly one thirty second of a second to wash the stains off. But then I can feel my smile as I decide I really dig the cover now, hey, it depicts a war, wars have blood, ya know?

Thinking of you knows, I suddenly have the urge to bother a girl, tomorrow anyway…heh.

To Be Continued