Notes and Disclaimers: I don't own SM or the idea of SM, but I own the Takarrie Warriors, the two Guardians and anyone else not in SM.
Chapter 1Present Day: October 10, 2001: United States of America: Texas: Round Rock: the home of the Kisiel family, as little as it was
"Tokahari! You're going to be late for school if you don't get going!" her father yelled before he walked out of the front door.
"Bye." Tokahari yelled back from her bedroom. She heard her father get into his car and then drive off. She was glad her father was going to work a bit earlier than usual, it gave her more time to herself while she was still at home.
Tokahari Kisiel rolled her eyes as she turned her gaze back to the mirror before her. Her beautiful and unique silver eyes stared back at her as she pulled a thin braid across her forehead to cover an eight point silver star. She didn't know why she had it or even what it meant, but it was pretty to look at. She held the braid over the star and with the other hand pinned it in place. Then she took the rest of her waist length long black hair and braided it into a single braid. Tossing it back over her shoulder she slipped into a pair of hemp sandals that added two inches to her 5'2 height. She smoothed down her blue jean skirt and then checked to see that her blue tank top didn't wrinkle or scrunch up as she tucked it in. She looked up once more into her mirror, seeing her lightly tanned skin and her thinness and smiled.
If she had a boyfriend, a lot of people would be jealous; she was very pretty. But most people at school didn't even talk to her because she looked different. Not that they ever saw the star, but her eyes labeled her as someone to avoid. It hurt Tokahari, but she was used to it. After 14 years of people saying you were weird or special, you tend to learn to ignore them. But it still hurt and she didn't really have friends. She had a couple, but not a whole lot. But all in all, she was naturally quiet and went on her way.
Bending she grabbed her backpack and purse and walked out of the room. Reaching out to shut off the light as she crossed the threshold. She went downstairs and set her stuff on the floor beside the front door and headed towards the kitchen. The clock on the wall next to the refrigerator read 8:15. She would have to hurry to get to school if she still intended to walk. Normally she rode the bus, but lately walking appealed to her. Fall had always been her favorite time of year, particularly October. Halloween was her absolute favorite day. Also because her birthday was the day after.
Ten minutes later Tokahari locked the front door and began her walk to her high school. It was a breezy morning with a little chill, bit not chilly enough to make the 14-year-old to slip on a sweater that she carried in her backpack.
But just as she was turning a corner two blocks from the school and within sight of the building, a group of high school students, all a couple of years older than her, walked up to her. Tokahari paid no mind to the sneering teenagers and continued walking. But one of the boys, muscular and touch, grabbed her arm hard enough to bruise.
"Aw!" she gasped with surprised pain as she was roughly jerked back.
"Where do you think you're going girlie?" he sneered.
"Let me go!" she exclaimed. Her normally soft musical voice rose a few pitches.
"Why should we?" one countered.
Tokahari was jerked off her feet and flung to the ground a few feet away. Her purse flew off her arm and landed beside her. She felt bruises forming where she fell, and knew she had scrapes because they were stinging and a few had a little blood dribbling down. She huddled where she sat and slightly lifted her head to stare at them. She tried not to cry, but tears welled up in her eyes and a couple rolled down her cheeks.
"Stop crying you wimp!" one girl said, punctuating with a slap across Tokahari's face. Then the girl backed away and stood again with her friends. They continued jeering at Tokahari and were standing around her, towering her and intimidating her.
All of a sudden a voice, female, rang out behind the tormenting teenagers.
"Hey! Leave her alone!"
A different teenager came up behind them and stood her ground, legs apart and braced.
"Well look you showed up." One tormentor sneered. The others looked at the newcomer and most of them also had evil smiles on their faces.
"Well if it isn't Sihane Birt. Have you come here for some reason?" the one who had slapped Tokahari sneered.
"Why should I tell you? You don't hold any kind of power over me." the newcomer, Sihane Birt, retorted placing her hands on her hips and glaring.
"Ooh. We're so scared." One said, faking shudders of fright. He burst out laughing afterwards.
"Leave this girl alone. She has never done anything. Get out of here before something happens." Sihane said, her voice cold and dangerous, and full of threatening promises.
"Is that a threat?" the eldest boy looked instantly serious. His sneer was gone, replaced by a firm look that said he would retaliate.
"Yes, it is." Sihane replied. She gave them her full glaring stare and didn't flinch.
One of the smaller built boys charged at her, his fist closing in for a punch. But Sihane took one step to the right, her own fist clenching. She launched her fist into the boy's stomach when he reached her and then swiftly moved away from him for two of the others were coming straight for her. The first one she had punched sank to the ground breathless, and seemed to not want to continue fighting the girl. But all the others wanted a piece of her now and she intended to give it to them.
Using a variety of kicks and punches, at least two of the group had a bloody nose. The others all sported black eyes and a collection of bruises to show for their fight. And the entire group was breathless.
Sihane on the other hand only had a couple of bruises, but she too was a little breathless. But she was the victor of the fight and proud of it.
"If you ever come near her again, I swear you will get more than black eyes and bloody noses." Sihane threatened, regaining her breath. "She is under my protection now and don't you forget it." she added.
They all nodded and with some supporting others, left as quickly as their tired bodies could go.
Tokahari had remained where she had fallen and kept a sharp eye on the fight. She had never had anyone come to her rescue before. She was relieved, but she still did not rise from the ground. She was also still hurting from the fall and still shocked that someone beat up the high school gang of bullies. Nobody would ever believe it.
Sihane calmed and walked over to the victim of the bullies. She knelt down beside the girl and looked over her for the injuries.
"Are you okay?" Sihane asked with a gentleness that further shocked Tokahari. One minute this girl was an ass-kickin' protector and the next she was a gentle, caring nursemaid.
"I'm fine for the most part." Tokahari replied, lifting her gaze to meet Sihane's.
When Sihane caught sight of the girl's eyes she made a tiny involuntary gasp, but remained where she was.
Tokahari also got a good sight of her rescuer.
Sihane had waist length, rich brown hair, that sported red highlights and made Tokahari think of autumn. It was a beautiful shade of brown and she also had bangs that dripped just above her eyes and to compliment her hair, Sihane had deep emerald green eyes. She was tan and even kneeling down her legs were long. Evident from her ability to fight, she was well muscled but it wasn't as if she was from things like weight lifting, she was just naturally nicely muscled for a sixteen-year-old.
"Thank you for saving me." Tokahari said, lowering her gaze.
"It's no problem. I'm tired of them picking on people." Sihane replied, picking up one of the smaller girl's hands and examining it. Then her hands seemed to glow green. Tokahari stared, her eyes wide, at the older girl's hands around her own. The glow continued as Tokahari's scratches and bruises dissipated and healed before her eyes. Sihane moved one still-glowing hand over the girl's legs and the injuries there healed too. When they were all healed, the evidence of her tormentors was as if it were never there. Tokahari took her hand back and looked it over herself.
"How'd you do that?" she asked, turning her gaze up to Sihane.
Sihane looked the tiniest embarrassed.
"It's a gift of mine. I've always been able to do it." She replied simply.
"Oh, well thank you." Tokahari replied, giving a small smile.
Sihane returned the smile and said, "I know they said it, but just in case, I'm Sihane Birt."
"I'm Tokahari Kisiel." The smaller girl replied.
The school bell rang, signaling that class was starting.
The two girls looked up at the sound.
"I'm late!" Tokahari exclaimed while she grabbed her purse and rose. Sihane followed her, but at a more sedate pace. She watched as the girl adjusted her backpack, slip her purse onto her shoulder and then look up at the school, determined.
"So you're still thinking about going to school after what just happened?" Sihane asked, her arms crossing behind her head.
"Of course." Tokahari replied firmly, turning her head to once again look at the taller girl.
"Well, the bullies will wonder what happened to your injuries. They know you got hurt and they'll ask about it. They will probably spread rumors about it." Sihane said matter-of-factly.
"Who would believe them? How can they prove it?" she retorted.
Sihane carefully studied the girl, took her arms down and let them hook into the belt loops on her jeans. She took a deep breath and then said,
"When they actually go to school people will know they were in a fight. I will go up there and people will know I was the one who fought them. But the entire school knows I fight to protect those who are picked on by other bullies. So what's left to this equation?" she looked Tokahari directly in the eyes.
Tokahari looked away and then quietly said, "The victim."
"Yeah. If the victim suddenly appears completely healed when they had just within the hour got beat on, people will definitely start talking. They'll think you're a freak or worse." Sihane said.
Tokahari shot her head up, "Has this happened to you? Is that how you know what would happen?" she asked, her voice soft.
Sihane bowed her head, "Yes. Now so you see why you shouldn't go to school today?" she countered looking back at her.
"Yes. But what will I tell my father when he gets home?" Tokahari replied.
Sihane shrugged and replied, "Tell him you got sick or that you suddenly didn't feel well."
Tokahari thought about it and nodded, "I think it'll work. But what am I going to do all day?" she asked.
Sihane smiled then. "We could window shop." She suggested.
Tokahari smiled back. "I'd actually like that. Could we stop at my house first so I can drop off my school stuff?"
"Sure," Sihane replied.
TBC