Hey, y'all! Sorry for the long update, but i've been busy! Well, it's getting late and i haven't even eaten dinner yet so i'm probably gonna go find something to eat as soon as i'm done, so i'm gonna hurry up and finish this!

Disclaimer: I don't own Zatch Bell. However, KALU IS MINE! HEEHEE! And so are the other characters you don't see in the show such as Emma, Lilly, and other kids at Kalu's school. And so on, but i'm not gonna go through 'em all. TEEHEE!


Gift from the Dark

Chapter 20

Just the Way I Am

It was morning. Everyone had already eaten breakfast, gotten in the car, and was now heading to Kalu's new school. Sherry decided to drive and Brago was in the front seat next to her. The hybrid child was sitting in the back, holding onto her book-bag and staring out the window. Her pale purple eyes watched the different things zoom by quickly and she sighed.

Sherry glanced at her daughter quickly before asking, "Everything all right, Kalu?"

In response, Kalu only shrugged. "Yeah… But I'm afraid to go to school."

"Why?"

The other waited a moment before answering. "…What if the other kids don't like me?" Her eyes averted to her parents' gaze. Brago only shook his head.

:"I'm sure you'll be just fine," he said. "There's no reason they wouldn't."

Kalu only sighed again and rested her chin on her bag, which was in her lap. Brago switched his attention over to his wife, who gave him a quick glance. Both of them knew that it was possible for their daughter to be rejected…

They'd just have to find out what was next.

Soon the school was in sight. There was a small, separate building that was designated for the first graders, which was where Kalu was to go. Sherry pulled the car to a stop and climbed out of the vehicle. Brago and Kalu followed, the little girl hanging onto her book bag.

She looked around and saw a few other children about her age walking over to the brick building. It was a sunny morning and birds were out and about chirping. Not too far off was an even larger building that was meant for the older children. Off to the side, two twin boys were talking to each other as their parents discussed last minute issues.

"Kalu?" The girl turned her head to the side as she heard her mother call her name. "Are you coming?"

Nodding her head, Kalu followed her parents to the door of the building. A parent or two stared at them (particularly at Brago and sometimes Kalu) as they headed down the sidewalk.

When they entered the door a few heads of children spun around to see who it was. Some of them went back to chatting while a few stared and whispered among each other. Kalu gazed around the room as a few children stared back at her.

There were many round tables all around the room where two children would sit at. Most tables were already filled up with different children. On each table there were two pieces of paper and two pencils, along with some crayons and other supplies. Different posters were all over the walls of the room. Four large windows were in the back, and one could see a playground outside. There was also a door that led outside to the playing field. The hybrid looked up at her mother who only smiled down at her.

"Don't worry, it's alright." said the blonde and the other nodded. Sherry turned her head around to face the teacher of the room and began discussing a few things. In the meantime, Brago shifted his attention to Kalu.

The little girl wrapped her arms around her father's waist in a small hug. Brago smirked and turned his attention to Sherry, who was now walking over to them.

"It's time to go, Brago. Kalu, we'll be back after school to pick you up, alright?" inquired the blonde.

A sad look overwhelmed the girl's face and she shook her head. "Mommy, please don't go."

"Kalu, honey," Sherry rested her arm against the little girl's shoulder. "Everything will be OK. Don't worry it's only for a few hours and we'll be back. You can tell me about your day as soon as we come to pick you up."

Kalu sighed. "Alright…" Sherry kissed her on the forehead and said her goodbyes. She and Brago then walked out of the room and headed to the car.

The teacher off to the side looked down at Kalu with a warm smile. "Welcome to your first day of school," she said kindly. "What's your name?"

"Kalu," said the hybrid quietly.

"Well that's a pretty name. Now if you'll come over here, I'll introduce you to the class as soon as everybody has taken your seats." The teacher turned around but continued talking. "I haven't prepared your seat yet, so let me just see where everybody else will be, alright dear?"

Kalu slowly nodded and followed the red headed teacher over to her desk. She peered at the different papers and recognized a few words she had learned to spell. Others she didn't. Off to the side, she could see the twins from before look at a poster on the board that stated where they were seated and walked over to a table and sat down.

A couple of minutes passed and soon the entire class had arrived and was seated. The teacher, now known to be Ms. Wells, directed Kalu to where she should place her schoolbag and to a seat where one other girl was already sitting. Ms. Wells walked off after stating this would be her seat, leaving Kalu to sit down next to the girl.

"Hello," said the girl softly. Kalu looked at her and immediately noticed that she had a large scar across her right hand to the top of her shoulder. Her hair was so pale it almost looked white. Her eyes also had a pale, yet happy look to them.

"Hi," responded Kalu. She took one last look at the girl's scar before the other spoke again.

"My name is Emma, what's yours?" asked the girl.

"…Kalu,"

Emma smiled softly. "I've never head that name before, but I like it. Are you new around here? I've never seen you before." When Kalu shook her head, she shrugged. "Oh well. It doesn't matter." Her smile was never removed from her face.

"Good morning, class," said the teacher after a minute or two. The entire group of children directed their attention to the teacher. "My name is Ms. Wells, and welcome to your first day of first grade. First off, I'd like to play a little game where we introduce ourselves." The red head turned her head around and pointed to the table closest to her, where the twins were located. "You two may go first. Tell us your name and something about yourself."

The twin with the red shirt on smiled. "Hi, I'm Kenny and I like cheese." His brother was next.

"Hi, I'm Jacob and I don't like cheese. But I do like ketchup on my hotdogs."

The entire class continued to say some things about themselves, who they were, and so on until it was Emma and Kalu's turn. They were the very last in the entire class.

Kalu listened intently on what Emma had to say. "Hello, my name is Emma. I can't do very much with my right arm because it got hurt in a wreck I was in long ago. But I write with my left hand, so there's nothing to worry about."

A few of the children in the room gasped or did something else. Kalu only widened her eyes and raised an eyebrow. So… that was how she had gotten that scar…

Next thing she knew, though, was that it was now her turn. The teacher smiled as she waited for the girl to speak. "Go on, it's your turn."

"Um…" Kalu looked around the room. "Uh… Hi, my name's Kalu, and…" She really didn't have anything that she wanted to say. She couldn't speak of her being half demon; otherwise the class would laugh, freak out, or do something else. Then she thought of something. "And…I like to climb trees."

Ms. Wells only smiled and moved on with the lesson. The entire class paid attention to her lessons and so did Kalu. Then before anyone knew it, it was the end of the day and everyone was outside for recess, which was also the time they waited for parents to pick them up. Kalu was walking next to Emma in the playground.

"So, what do you like to do for fun?" asked Kalu. She had quickly made friends with Emma. Both of them didn't seem to be too popular… but at least she had one friend.

"Oh, I don't know, really…" Emma trailed off. "I guess I like to draw."

Kalu then noticed a few other children running over to them. She watched as they had somewhat curious and eager looks on their faces. What was up?

"Hey!" said one. It was Kenny. "You, Kayla is it?"

"Kalu," corrected the hybrid. Kenny ignored her, and was about to speak something until his twin brother interrupted.

"Say, why do you have those funny looking marks under your eyes?" asked Jacob, his brown eyes fixed on Kalu.

"Uh…"

"And why's your skin so pale?" asked another girl, known as Lilly. She grabbed Kalu's hand and compared it to hers. "It's almost like ashes!"

Kalu pulled away her hand from the brunette. "So?"

Lilly only smiled impishly. "Oh I don't know… it's just so different. It almost makes you look like a ghost."

Another boy decided to add effects by making ghost noises. The group that ran up to Emma and Kalu laughed.

"And look," said another person. "Black and blue is a funny hair color. Did you… what's it called? I forget, but did you color it?"

"Why are your eyes purple? Is that even possible?" asked another.

"I can't help it!" said Kalu finally. Everyone stared at her. "It's not my fault. It's just the way I am!"

"If it weren't for that purple outfit, and maybe some other things, add some dark clothes and you'd look kinda creepy." stated Lilly. A few other children agreed to this and Kalu lowered her head to look at the ground.

So, Kalu thought, they… think I'm creepy?

"That's enough," said Emma after Lilly stated her remark. "Don't blame Kalu if she's different. It's not a bad thing."

"Who asked you?" inquired Kenny. His twin agreed.

"Just because you didn't ask doesn't mean I can't say what I want," said Emma. She turned to face Kalu, who was still looking at the ground. "Come on, let's go over there."

The pale blue eyed girl pulled the hybrid along with her as they walked over to a different part of the field. They both sat on the slide, Kalu still looking at the ground.

"Don't listen to them," said Emma finally. Kalu looked up, her purple eyes putting on a look of confusion. "What they say doesn't matter, alright?" Emma gave her small smile again. "I'm made fun of a lot, too, because of my scar."

Kalu watched as Emma sighed. "Was the wreck you were in scary?" she finally asked after a minute of silence.

Emma's eyes widened and she looked over to the hybrid. "Um… yes." She lowered her head, too, at that moment. "…You see… my own Daddy was driving at the time. I have no mom; she died when I was born. And Daddy also likes to drive around really crazy, and one night I was with him and he started to get all upset and frustrated. He couldn't see the road for some reason and we ended up in a big wreck."

Kalu stared. That must have been frightening for her… Just then Emma raised her head back up with her eyes closed and was smiling again.

"But don't worry about me. That was long time ago." She opened her eyes and took a good look at Kalu. "But… can I ask you something personal?"

The purple eyed hybrid nodded her head. "Yes, I don't mind."

The other girl was hesitant to say this, but after a minute she finally asked. "…How… how did you get those black marks on your eyes?" she inquired.

"I…" What was Kalu to say? 'Oh, I do because Daddy is a demon'?

Of course not!

"That's alright; you don't have to tell me."

Kalu looked up when Emma said that. "I… I don't?" The other shook her head, which made the hybrid smile. At least the secret could last a bit longer… But what if she lost control of her powers while at school?

Suddenly Kalu heard her name being called and she spun her head around only to see her mom at the front of the door to the building. Brago was next to her, his arms hidden behind his back like usual.

"Kalu, time to go!" called Sherry.

The little girl smiled and stood up. She faced Emma, who was looking up at her. "I have to go now," she said, "Mommy's calling me."

"OK, bye Kalu."

"Bye."

And with that, the little girl ran over to her parents to go home.


Yep... Kalu's first day of school. Hopefully i can figure out what i'm gonna do for the next chapter 'cause i haven't really thought of it. Anybody want something to happen in this story (like maybe something minor?) that they'd want me have happen? If so, then please say so! It just may give me an idea or two for later on:)

Now onto my reviewers!

PsychicLunar: Naruto is cool, and--hey! Kakashi isn't yours! Yeah, well... it could be also translated as 'The Golden Gash Bell', but when the Jap. exchange student came she gave me a Jap. version of the first manga volume, and in it it says 'Gash of Gold' somewhere in Englsih. Yep, it has VERY little English, but there was still some in it! So i say 'Gash of Gold'. :) Yuyu Hakushow MIGHT be on Adult Swim, but i'm not too sure about that.

Computerfreak101: OMG, thank you SO much for showing me the Snape song, thing! I was in tears i was laughing so hard. I even showed it to my parents, 'cause they like Harry Potter, too, and some other people. They all loved it! Ooh, Kalu loosing powers in school... you're giving me ideas, Computerfreak:)

ShadowVixen: Here's an update!

Wolf of the Blue Moon: Here's the next chapter!

angel61991: Here's an update.

anonimize: Oh, but the ZB game is fun! Although in story mode when they talk its so corny it's funny, but that's not the point! It's all about the battles and beating up your least favorite character with your favorite. :)

Alison: I'm sorry, hope it's all better for you.

Crying White Wolf: Here's an update!

Blood of the Wolf: It's alright! Looks like Zophise can't control his minions. Heh. Oh well, who cares about him? Kalu likes Zatch as in a friendly way... not love or anything. But i'm sure Brago is still just as upset about it. XD

Well people, i'm getting hungry so i'm signing off now to go get some mac n' cheese. YAY! XD Until next time,

Twilight.

Oh, andi forgot to say this to you all! For those that have the Zatch Bell game, i have discovered something VERY fun to do! Plus it's funny to watch! OK, first what you have to do is play as Kanchome and Folgore as your team. Your opponents: Zophise and Koko. When you battle him, keep using his Poruk (toge) attack. The one where he turns into this wheel thingamabob... Anwyay, keep using that on Zophise and you'll see him fly up REEEAALLY high into the air if you hit him! It's SO funny/fun to watch! Sometimes he even starts laughing really freaky as he's flying through the air, almost as if he's laughing at his own freakiness/stupidity. Just try it, it's LOADS of fun! Heehee!

Now for real i'm signing off. BYE!