Title: Distant Smile

Author: xxShadowSpiritsxx

Summary: It's been three years and everyone has gone separate ways after their adventure. Izumi moves back to Japan (from Italy) and faces new problems. One person, in particular, seems to hate her. She gets involved but is she ready to find out the truth?

xxShadowSpiritsxx: Hey, thanks for reading! I really hope you like this chapter. Remember to review! Oh, and there's some symbols stuck in by mistake. Thanks to a kind reviewer for pointing that out! I also realized that only one space shows up after my sentences. Not sure how to fix it, but if you know, please give me some tips.

I also noticed some people don't like what I've done with the characters or the fact that they don't remember anything. Hehe. I agree that it's not very logical, but if it bothers you so much, just don't read. However, I am open to any advice.

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DISTANT SMILE

Chapter 1: A Grand Start, Indeed

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"Izumi, wake up! Breakfast is ready!"

"Oh crap. I forgot to set my alarm." Wait. I didn't. Damn, I must've slept through. Sighing, I reluctantly got out of bed and changed into my new school uniform. It was navy blue with a white collared blouse and knee socks. And to top it all off, a pair of shiny black shoes. I brushed my teeth and combed my blonde hair so it was straight with no tangles. While racing down the stairs, I tripped and fell flat on my face, like this show I once saw. You see, this six year old girl was walking her two gigantic dogs and they started running, causing her to fall right on the camera person! Ha ha. Yep, very funny indeed.

"Here's your lunch," my mom said handing me a brown paper bag. I guess she figured that I need a little help sometimes. She also gave me my pink backpack with all of my binders and supplies already in it. Does she think I'm that helpless?

"Uh... thanks!" I ate a bowl of cereal and dashed out the door. Oops! I almost forgot my breath mints.

It was a drizzling Tuesday morning but I tried to have a positive attitude about it. I was running across the street when I fell into a huge puddle and was soaked up to my knees. Argh! Can this day get any worse? I thought. I made my way to the school. It was a large, white and navy school with four partly bloomed cherry blossom trees surrounding the front. I pulled open the oversized glass doors and headed for the office to check in.

"You new here?" asked a thin girl with short blue hair.

"Yeah, I came from Italy. Actually, I went to a different school north of here, but only for a month or so. Oh, my name's Izumi Orimoto." I glanced about the spacious office.

"I'm Kaori. Wanna come meet my friends? I'm sure they'll like you."

"Sounds good. Thanks a lot."

"I know what it's like to be new."

Kaori led me to the second floor, where I met two girls, Eri and Ami. Eri had wavy chestnut hair tied up into a ponytail, and Ami's was long, straight and red. Of course, they were all wearing the same blue uniform.

"So, did they give you a timetable yet?" wondered Eri.

"Yeah. Here, you can take a look." I held up a pink sheet with my student number, the courses I was taking, the name of the teacher and the room number. All three bunched together to see it while I got a chance to look around and try to spot if any of my classes were near by. I saw a mysterious guy wearing a black uniform and had long, dark blue hair. I noticed his face had no expression, like he was starring for eternity into a large, empty space. He almost looks evil. You know, like one of those types of people in TV shows that you can tell they're up to something. But no, this isn't a TV show. Nothing like that ever happens in real life... well, rarely but not never.

"Izumi? Earth to Izumi! We all have Art first block so we can show you where to go," Kaori offered.

"Thanks. I sure wouldn't like to get lost. This school is really big."

We walked downstairs to the art room, while they asked questions about how it was in Italy. I noticed that the strange guy in black was going to there too.

"Who exactly is he?" I asked, tilting my head towards the 'King of Darkness.'

"I'd stay away from him. Nobody gets in his way, so don't even think about it."

"Well, maybe he's just shy. We should go talk to him," I insisted, but they shook their heads and turned away. "Fine, I will."

Walking closer to him, he just gazed at me with a cold, icy glare, probably wondering what I was doing. I don't even know. I'm not sure if this is real or not, but I do feel a weird dark aura around him. Probably just my imagination.

"... Hi, I'm new! My name's Izumi. Nice to meet you," I said cheerfully, hoping he'd lighten up a bit. I waited for a response but he just looked away. "So," I searched my mind for something to say when I noticed his shoulder bag and binders were also black, "is black your favourite colour? Not that I didn't notice before but-"

"Look, why don't you go back with your friends and leave me alone," he said sharply to stress his point, but calm enough so he didn't attract unwanted spectators.

I slowly turned away. I wasn't hurt by his words but it wasn't the best way to greet someone who was only trying to be nice! He could just be having a rough day. Or maybe he doesn't like new kids.

"Izumi, come sit with us." Eri saved a seat and waved me over.

"Thanks." I know it's like the hundredth time I've said that but I was grateful to have made some friends who actually pay attention to me. Unlike those before.

All class I thought about why the guy in black ignored what I said. He probably has 'cooler' friends and wants nothing to do with me. I'm probably not the only one! I should go talk to him at break. He can't just exclude people like that.

"Izumi, we're going to the bleachers to watch a basketball game. Coming?"

"Maybe, Kaori. I've got some... business to settle first."

"We'll be there at lunch as well, if you need us." Ami slammed her locker shut. "Damn! Why won't it close?" I heard her say to herself. She pushed everything in further and got it to close. Then she swung her bag over her shoulder.

"Thanks. By the way, who's that guy I tried to talk to before?"

"Kouji Minamoto..."

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xxShadowSpiritsxx: So, what do you think? I would suggest you keep reading!

Izumi: Yeah, and remember to review!

xxShadowSpiritsxx: What the hell are YOU doing here! Where did you come from?

Izumi: Don't know, don't care. Hi Mom! Hi Dad! I'm on TV!

xxShadowSpiritsxx: No, you aren't! Those are just bored readers looking for entertainment! Not a camera!

Izumi: Be nice to the audience. We need to get ratings!

xxShadowSpiritsxx: Did you not here what I just said! Or did it just go through one ear and out the other?

Izumi: Sorry, folks. She's very sorry. Stay tuned for the next chapter on Izumi TV! Bye!

xxShadowSpiritsxx: Okay that's it. You're going down you f-BEEEEEEEEEP!