Disclaimer: You should know it by now. It may have only been two chapters, but I don't care. You know the disclaimer. I will not be repeating it.

PS: In the reviews I've gotten, some are asking me questions, so I've decided I'll answer some of them here.

Shadow-mistress: Does she love Josh? I don't really wanna tell you, but . . . in this part of the story she truly believes that she does. That may change though. Is she gonna be with Akito? Duh! Akito and Sana forever! It's just gonna take a while.

Chapter 3

The Jinbou Senior High bell sounded, signaling the end of the school day. Students flowed out of the exits and headed toward their homes, either by car, bicycle, or just plain walking. Two second-year girls could be seen talking very happily as they headed to the school gate. Once they walked outside, they looked around.

"Fuka-chan, I don't know what your mom's car looks like. How am I supposed to help you find her?" one of the girls, secretly Kurata Sana, but known as Kitahoshi Sachiko, asked.

"Don't worry 'bout that, girl! Just look for a small, silver car. It's pretty hard to miss. Usually." Fuka replied. She looked at Sana. "By the way, why am I not allowed to go with you to the hairdresser's again? I wanna go," Fuka whined in a babyish voice. It vaguely resembled that of asmall child who was tryingto convince hisparents that he didn't need to go to sleep yet.

Sana laughed. "Because it'll take a really long time till I'm finished and I don't wanna make you wait."

Fuka pouted slightly --something that was uncharacteristic of her --then brightened. "Oi, will you make me a promise?"

Sana looked confusingly at her, then answered, "Sure. What is it?"

"Promise you'll take off your hat tomorrow for the whole day so that I can see your hair for once."

Sana rolled her eyes. "Hai, Fuka-chan. Hai." She looked out across the street. "Oi, is that your mom there?"

Fuka turned to look and smiled. "Yep, that's her. Good eyes, Sachiko-chan. I gotta go now, but I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure. Ja."

"Ja!"

Sana turned to walk down the sidewalk to the hairdresser's. Thank goodness. She didn't suspect anything. Phew. As Sana continued to walk down the sidewalk, lost deep in thought, she thought she felt someone behind her. Turning around, she met the eyes of Hayama Akito, who was standing directly in back of her. Yelping, she took a few steps backwards from him.

"H-Hayama-kun!" she stammered. "W-what are you doing here?"

Hayama smirked at her. He replied shortly, "Going to the karate dojo, bitch."

Sana glowered at him. Icily, she said, without thinking, "Shut up, demon child."

Hayama's face became sad for a split second, then was once again masked. He looked at her with rage. "What the hell did you just call me?" he asked menacingly.

Sana shirked back from him and scolded herself harshly. You idiot. Whatin the worldwere you thinking? Even Kami-sama knows that Hayama-kun hates being called that and will practically kill anyone who says it to him. I mean, in sixth grade– Oh, I'm in deep shit now. She laughed nervously. "I-I just said that you were -- uh -- you were -- um -- were -- were . . . " Sana trailed off and eyed Hayama fearfully. She did not want to have to deal with a furious Hayama right now.

"Well?" Hayama was having a very hard time controlling his temper. Normally he wouldn't, but he didn't want to get in enough trouble so that he would be suspended from karate practice. That would fucking suck, he thought to himself.

Sana glanced around the sidewalk that was empty. Kami-sama, if he decided he wanted to hurt her, no one would know. She looked back at Hayama. "Um . . . I didn't say . . . anything . . ." she whispered softly.

"Oh, really? I seem to distinctly remember you calling me a demon child. Am I wrong, bitch?"

Sana sighed quietly. I guess truth might help get me out of this situation. Maybe. She took a deep breath. "Um . . . I --I'm r-really sorry about calling you that. I-I didn't mean to. It kinda just . . . slipped out. .. ."

Hayama looked at her suspiciously. Something was off about Kitahoshi, he could tell. She was way too conservative with others. He growled and said, "Whatever. Just leave me the hell alone."

Sana watched as Hayama started to walk off. That was really close. I thought he might think that I knew about him and his past. Thank Kami-sama he didn't notice anything. I hope. She started off after him, since the hairdresser's was near the dojo. He ignored her the whole time, but at least he didn't do anything to her.

When the two neared the hairdresser's, Sana turned and walked in.

At the receptionaryshe told the woman about her appointment and was led to a chair in the back. Another woman came and Sana took off her hat. Kami-sama, she just hoped no one would discover who she truly was. After Sana told the woman that she wanted to dye her hair mahogany, the woman did so. When the woman was finished, Sana stood up and gave her a tip. She then proceeded to the front desk and paid the amount needed.

Sana walked out the door and turned to go home. The hairdresser's had taken longer than she had expected, and she needed to get home quickly so that she could talk to Josh about what happened the other day. She broke into a light jog, her newly colored hair flowing behind her since she wasn't wearing her hat anymore.

Twenty to thirty minutes later, Sana was opening the door to her house. As she walked inside and closed the door, Miwa came running up to her.

"Okaa-san!"

Sana kneeled down and gave Miwa a hug. "Konnichi wa,Miwa. How was your day? Did you have fun?"

Miwa bobbed her head up and down. "Hai!" she replied excitedly. "Otou-san took me to the park again! It was so much fun!"

Sana laughed. "And where is Otou-san? Is he in his room?"

Miwa nodded, then went to her room to play with her toys.

Sana sighed and walked to Josh's room. She knocked on the door, then walked in. Josh was sitting on his bed with a book in his hands. He looked up when she entered.

"Konnichi wa," Sana said quietly.

"Oi."

"So, what are you doing?" Sana walked over and sat down next to him. Josh just put the book into a drawer in his night stand.

Josh shrugged. "Nothing really." He looked at her. "What did you want?"

Sana took a deep breath and said, "I wanted to talk to you about what happened with Miwa the other day." Sana paused for a moment, trying to think of what to say. "I -- I'm sorry for blowing up on you like that, but I was really angry because if Miwa got hurt . . . Well, I think you know. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I was sorry for being so angry at you. Do you forgive me?"

Josh smiled and gave Sana aslow, forgivingkiss. "Of course I do, Sana. Don't worry. But I'm sorry I didn't look after Miwa more carefully." He stood up. "I'm gonna go get Miwa and tuck her in. You should go and get some rest; it's late. Oyasumi nasai."

He got up and left the room. Sana stood, walked to her room, and changed into some pajamas. Turning off the light, she climbed into bed.

As soon as she fell asleep, she started to have a nightmare. It was blurry and vague, but still frightening. In it, Josh had left her and taken Miwa away as well. Sana continued to toss and turn in her sleep until she finally awoke. Shakily, she reached out to her alarm clock and looked at the time. Five o'clock. Knowing she wouldn't be able to fall back to sleep, she got up, changed into her school uniform, and went to the kitchen. There, she picked up a pear and walked outside and onto the patio.

She stood there, just watching the slightly quiet neighborhood, until she heard the thud of feet on the sidewalk. Since the front walk to the house was shorter than most, she could hear better than if the house's front walk wasa regular size. As the jogger ran by, Sana jolted at the sight of who it was. He's still doing that after all these years? I didn't think he would, but I guess that he really loves karate and is willing to put in effort toward training and stuff. Pretty cool to see him doing something so devotedly. I wonder what color his belt is now . . .

As Sana watched Hayama continue to run past her, the sun started to become brighter. Quickly, Sana ran inside the house to get her things ready for the new school day, which she hoped would go well.

Glossary of Translations:

Kami-sama-the god/goddess of one of the main Japanese religions, Shinto. There are actually many kami, or divine spirits, but the one most refer to is the highest ranking one, Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.She is the central divine being in the Shinto religion, and that is why she is referred to in the same way that a Christian refers to their Lord. (Basically, Kami-sama in Japan is equal to God in the Christian religion.)

sama-a honorific that means that the person who it is attached to is a very important person. This can also translate into 'Master' but it basically means someone who is much higher in rank than you will ever be. (i.e. A butler would say to their employer or someone related to their employer, "Akira-sama" meaning "Master Akira.") In addition, it is used to confer respect and is an honorific one level higher than -san.

hai-yes, yeah, yep, sure, etc. Basically used to say yes to something.

okaa-san-mother, mommy, mom.

otou-san-father, daddy, dad.

oyasumi nasai- good night. Said to a person when they are about to go to bed, or sleep.

konnichi wa-hello. It is a greeting used after you have met someone. I could have used 'konban wa' meaning 'good evening' but I decided not to.

oi-hey. This is a casual way of saying hello to someone.

dojo-usually public place where the teaching of martial arts takes place. So, a karate dojo is where a person goes to learn karate. I believe that everyone who wants to be, is admitted.

Author's Notes: Well, that was the third chapter. It basically took place a little bit after Day After. Ja ne minna-san!