Disclaimer: See chapter one

Chap. 12

"Earthquake!"

The entire school rumbled. Glasses and drinks all fell and spilled on the floor of the school hall. The walls trembled as well, causing many of the people, students and adult, to panic. Screams followed and in a matter of seconds, people were running all over the place, trying to reach the exit.

"Everyone! Calm down!"

But the words of the few reasonable adults were drowned out by the panicked screams of the multitude. People crammed the exits, trying to escape. In the midst of this, the group of teens was calmer than the others, but also panicked as well.

"We have to get out of here."

The teens instantly began to go for the exit along with the others, however Uriko indicated an exit that hadn't been used yet and made a run for it. The shaking increased and the tables and chairs began to fall down and shatter all over the place. Rei almost lost her footing when a hand caught her and prevented her from falling.

"Ms. Saori?"

The dark-haired woman quickly pulled her up, "Come out. Everyone outside."

However, one of the ceiling lamps unhinged and fell down from above the two of them. Shin saw the fall and quickly dashed forward and pushed the two out of the way. The lamp shattered on his back and the glass tore his shoulder and right arm. Shin growled in pain and stumbled as Rei and Saori struggled to rise. Uriko helped Rei up while Kenji helped up Saori.

"Get out." Kenji yelled. "I'll get Shin."

The women nodded and made there way to the exit while Kenji went after Shin, who was now beginning to rise for the floor. His arm was lined with blood as he tried to get to his feet. Kenji knelt down beside him, slung Shin's left arm around the back of his neck and hoisted him up.

"Saving me again, huh Kenji?"

Kenji gave a brief smile as the two quickly made their way to the door. But as they made their way outside, the shaking began to subside and soon the earthquake stopped altogether. Everyone had made it outside, though a couple with some bumps and bruises. Kenji saw Saori, Uriko and Rei just outside. Rei saw them first and upon seeing Shin, she quickly ran up to him.

"Shin! Are you okay?"

Glass was still sticking to his skin, but the young man answered, "Don't worry about me. How are you?"

Uriko shook her head amusingly. "We're alright. Everyone else got out safe and sound."

It was at that point that Reiji came up from behind them, "Where's Rei?"

Uriko turned to him and instantly scowled, "You coward. You ran out on us."

Reiji simply raised his hands, "Hey, give me a break. Everyone was all over the place and I thought you guys left me. Where's..."

His gaze quickly found Rei, who was tenderly trying to pull out the glass shards in Shin's arm. Moving over to them and ignoring Kenji's cold glance, Reiji spoke to her.

"Rei, are you alright?"

Rei didn't turn to him, but answered, "I'm okay."

"That's good." he sighed. He then took a hold of her left hand, "Do you want me to take you home? Your friends can come too."

But Rei didn't even bother to look at him and kept her eyes glued to her task, "No. He needs to go to a hospital."

Reiji pressed, "I can..."

"My sister's already on the way." Uriko broke in. She then added, "She's a nurse so we're okay."

Rei stopped in her task and turned to look at Reiji, who was still holding his hand. "I had a nice time, Reiji. But I have to help him." Her eyes lowered and she pulled her hand out of his grasp.

"I'm sorry this night ended badly."

Reiji however stood up straight and scowled.

"Whatever..."

With that remark, he stormed off leaving the others behind. Uriko sucked her teeth while Rei watched him go concerned.

"I hope I didn't hurt his feelings." she said softly.

Uriko shook her head, "Rei, you're just too nice sometimes. The guy's a jerk."

Rei said nothing in reply and Kenji used this time to change the subject. "We better get something for his arm." he said, indicating to Shin.

As they took care of him, Saori stood nearby watching the scene with interest. Particularly Shin and Rei. Rei had been totally focused on Shin to even consider Reiji's request, despite how unreasonable it was anyway. And Shin didn't reject to having her treat his arm. That was unusual because Shin would normally try to pass it off as something minor and try to take care of it himself. Separately, it could have been passed off as normal. But collectively, Saori couldn't help but smile. But that smile faded as she began to recall the earthquake. Something was definitely wrong; she could feel it in the air. That earthquake was far from normal and the cause was even more so. Her eyes looked up into the sky in thought and as they did, they flashed gold once again. There was something else. Something that was still present. A darker...energy of some sort.

'I may have to reveal myself sooner.'

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An hour later...

Everyone that was at the school had all gone home. The party was obviously ruined and there was nothing else to do. Report of the earthquake went on for a good part of the night, with seismologist with little clue as to why it had occurred at all. Strangely enough, another earthquake was reported at the same time in another location of the world. The school was closed until it could be determined that it was safe for students to re-enter. Fortunately, the earthquake wasn't too severe and most buildings were undamaged. It seemed that the only real damage was to Shin's arm, which was bandaged by the help of Alice.

"Thank you, Miss Non...I mean, Mrs. Ohgami."

Alice gave her usual warm smile, "Just Alice will do fine. And you're welcome." She tightened the strap slightly, but the youth didn't wince.

"Anyway, it's not too serious. You can take those off in about a day or two. But no sooner. I don't want you to catch an infection."

Shin looked at his arm and grimaced, but he nodded in understanding. Alice closed her kit and looked at the others.

"Well, it looks like I'll have to give you all a ride home. Come on."

Uriko sighed aloud, "This was supposed to be a great night. But some stupid earthquake had to come along and ruin everything."

Kenji simply answered, "Well, it could have been worse. At least you were able to have a great time, right?"

Uriko stared at him and then...

"I guess you're right. Hey who knows? Maybe the party could be rescheduled another night. It'll be better than this one."

Kenji outwardly grimaced at the thought, but was inwardly glad that Uriko wasn't so glum now. Besides...he enjoyed slow dancing with her.

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Shin/Rei's house

The two returned home after Alice dropped them off. They were strangely quiet to each other as they enter their home. Shin seemed to be in thought about something and as Rei moved to the bathroom to change, he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry this night was ruined for you."

Rei stopped and turned to him. Giving a light smile, "You shouldn't have to apologize. It was out of your hands." She turned to the bathroom again and moved inside, but not before saying one more thing.

"Besides...I'm kind of glad that it happened."

Shin blinked. 'What did she mean by that?' But Rei said no more as she closed the door, leaving Shin to ponder over her words. 'Could she…? No, I don't think so. But…' His thoughts were suddenly plagued with strange feelings he didn't realize he had. He didn't understand it, but he was certain of one thing.

He was glad it happened too…