Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1: Coming Back or Chapter 2: Day After. Les Miserables is copyrighted under the name Victor Hugo, its author. I do not claim property of its plot, characters, movie, play, musical, concert, or anything else affiliated with it.

Author's Note: Here is Chapter 8! Many things in this chapter will be focused around the characters–new ones and forgotten ones. Also, some info on the karate tournament. (I hope you didn't think I'd forgotten about it!)

I would like to thank my wonderful helper Amin Vanima Mellonea, for helping me clear out my ideas. I know I'm a slow writer, and that this chapter is up late. My computer was refusing to let me open the document. Cue meglaring at the computer. I've finally gotten it open. Yay! And by the way, Amin, I'm always open to suggestions. Pack 'em on!

Chapter 8

"I can't believe her!" Nakamura Suzuno shouted. Her friend jumped back, slightly frightened by her. "I mean, did you see her! Did you? Acting like she was the goddamn best thing that ever happened to this school! She's a drama queen! Pouring on the waterworks; how fake! And Mihara-sensei just lapped it right up! Can you believe it?" she screamed.

"Demo, Suzuno-chan, she was pretty amazing," the chesnut-haired girl ventured.

"Sumimasen? You're siding with her? I can't believe it. You didn't even pull any strings! Aren't you supposed to be my best friend, Chi?"

Chiaki sighed. Suzuno was so annoying sometimes. Especially now, since today was the first day of rehearsals for Les Miserables, and animosity was running high. But,just because she didn't get in the play as Fantine . . . Kami-sama, this was becoming too much. When she'd first met Suzuno, in first year of high school, she'd been so sweet. It was scary that this school's opinion affected her so much. She wasn't even fun to hang out with anymore; she was always complaining about something. Suzuno was becoming one of those popularity-obsessed girls Chiaki always saw in American films. If this went on, Chiaki was definitely going to rid her hands of her. Yet she was willing to give it one more shot.

Chiaki continued, "Well, she was really good. I kind of want to be friends with her. She makes me wonder what kind of performing arts program they have in Amerika. I mean, if everyone over there can act like that, and when they're only in high school . . . Kami-sama, I'm moving to Amerika as soon as possible." She grinned as Suzuno gave a shriek of indignation, then frowned at Suzuno's reply.

"Nani? You want to be friends with her? Has nothing I've ever said go through your thick skull? Hello? She's new; she just upstaged me in auditions. Not to mention she doesn't even know who I am! That's like . . . like sacrilege! Everyone in the school knows who I am!"Chiaki glared at her.

"What's so wrong with wanting to be her tomodachi? She seems like a nice girl." Which is more than I can say for you, Chiaki thought. This was it. Say 'sayonara' to their friendship. "And what the hell do you mean? Upstaged you? I'm not surprised, you being a competitive bitch, trying too hard. And so what if she's new? At least she's not corrupted like you!" Chiaki paused and watched Suzuno gape at her. "And Nakamura-san, if anyone is the one with the thick skull, it's you. After all, sluts don't have anything other than popularity, guys, and how to get guys on their minds. Sayonara, Nakamura."

"Nani?" Suzuno screeched. "You can't walk away from me! I'm your best friend!"

Chiaki called back over her shoulder, "Correction, I was your best friend. Now, why don't you go and find some guy to neck with?" She grinned as she heard Nakamura sputter.

Chiaki continued walking, heading toward the play rehearsal, where she worked as tech manager. How strange that she felt so . . . liberated. Lately it seemed as if Nakamura had been holding her back, and now that she was no longer her friend, Chiaki was, in a sense, free.

And freedom had never felt so good as it did right at that moment, when she walked through the double doors to the auditorium.

Hai, she'd never felt better.

--->--->--->

"Kitahoshi-san, haiyaku! Mihara-sensei wants to talk to you!"

Sana struggled to make a dent in the mob. She called over, "Hai! Chotto matte! I'll be right there!" Pushing her way forcefully, she moved through. A surprisingly large amount of people had showed up today, and most of them weren't even in the play. Either there was a very popular student, or, as her experiences at Mission Viejo High School had told her–'people are more interested than you think'–they were actually interested. She decided to go with the first one, as no one went to the first rehearsal unless there was someone well-known in the cast. Judging by the fact that there were many girls, Sana would guess the one who drew them there to be a boy, most likely a third-year. She'd heard something about someone in class 3-5.

She lunged through an opening made by people shuffling to the side and teetered to a stop beside the brunette who'd called out for her. "So," Sana started, "ah, where is Mihara-sensei?"

The girl smiled at her, amused. She pointed to the corner of the stage, where Mihara-sensei was discussing something with the lighting technician. "I'd suggest giving her a minute, so she doesn't lose her train of thought."

Sana grinned. "Arigatou, ano . . ."

The girl filled in, "Nishishima Chiaki."

"Nishishima-san. What does your name mean? Just out of curiosity."

The girl laughed lightly. "Nishishima means 'west island', and Chiaki means 'very fine autumn'. I love it. I think it's cute, and a bit different." Chiaki paused. "So, your name's Kitahoshi Sachiko, right? What's your name mean?"

"Kitahoshi means 'north star' and Sachiko means 'child of joy' I believe. My name's a bit old-fashioned; I like it though."

Nishishima smiled at her. "It's really kawaii." She glanced back over her shoulder, then turned back to Sana. "Looks like Mihara-sensei is done. I suggest you hurry over. Gombatte."

Sana beamed. "Arigatou," she said, and skipped over to the teacher.

--->--->--->

"Ah, Kitahoshi-san, konban wa." Mihara-sensei greeted.

"Konban wa," Sana replied. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Mihara-sensei smiled at her. "I've been giving this a bit of thought." She paused, and Sana urged her to continue. "Well, the truth is, I want you to be put in the role of Cosette. Your audition was really amazing. What do you say?"

Sana's smile faltered. "Ano, that's all right, Mihara-sensei, arigatou, demo I don't want to. I'd rather stay in the role I am."

"Doushite?" Mihara-sensei had a confused look on her face. Why wouldn't she want to play the lead role? It was like every girl's dream.

Sana gave a hesitant smile. "You see, I'm not a big fan of Cosette. I had pretty much focused on Fantine. She's my favorite role and I'd rather play her and not Cosette."

Mihara-sensei nodded, still a little confused. She brightened at another idea. "What about the role of Eponine? Would you rather play her?" Mihara Akane grinned at the thought. If she could get Kitahoshi to play Eponine, the play would really be a hit. Then she could cast that other girl, Nakamura Suzuno, as Fantine. They would have double the talent.

Unfortunately, that thought went down the drain as Kitahoshi explained that Akane had already promised the role to the other girl, Ohmi Kumiko, and though she was flattered, she'd still rather play Fantine. Akane could accept that reason, but still she pressed on. She wasn't going to let this girl's talent be thrown out the window. However, Kitahoshi simply repeated her reasons again. As a result, Akane gave up and ushered Kitahoshi away, telling her she needn't have come to the rehearsal, as this one was for the tech staff.

One thought lingered in her mind, and it was a bit absurd.

What was wrong with young people these days?

--->--->--->

Sana exited the auditorium, but not before saying goodbye to Nakamura. Slowly, she walked home, feeling bored and a bit upset. Having a child was a real pain sometimes. She couldn't leave her with a nanny, she couldn't take her out, she had to rely on Josh.

She scowled as she went on with her downward spiral. Why had she even had sex with Josh? All it had done was screw up her life. Instead of returning to her old friends and explaining simple things, she had to keep her identity a secret from them because of the newfound complexity of the situation. In other words, Miwa.

Not only that, but when she'd first realized she was pregnant freshman year at MVHS, the dirty looks she'd gotten were terrifying. Kami-sama, why the first year? Why couldn't it have been sophomore year, or better yet, not at all? She was almost positive it was on her permanent record with the school's guidance counselor, and that it would be shipped off to her college in America. In part, that was a reason she'd come back to Japan, with a pseudonym. They'd never know she had a child unless–a, they took a DNA test; b, Mission Viejo High School showed them her records; c, if she told them; or d, if someone who knew told them.

Sana returned to her thoughts about her experience. She'd been thirteen and it had been at the end of eighth grade, in June. She'd been so young; so stupid.

Miwa had been born premature, in January. Giving birth had been the most grueling experience she'd ever had, followed by losing her virginity. And the worst part was that her water broke smack dab in the middle of lunch, making it so that Josh hadn't been next to her when she first saw Miwa.

Of course, since he wasn't there, she was free to name the baby whatever she wanted, and chose the one that Josh didn't like so much, just to spite him for not being there. She felt bad afterwards, though, because his family had been so supportive to them and helped her out when she had found out that she was pregnant, and she'd just named the baby in her heritage, not theirs. Then again, she was the one who'd carried the baby, the one who'd had to go through the humiliation, the one who'd had to break it to everyone, the one who'd had it the worst. She was entitled to naming the baby whatever the hell she wanted, right?

She took a deep breath as she walked up the front walk and opened the door. Surprisingly, the house was silent. Miwa and Josh must be at the park, since she wasn't supposed to be home for another hour. Walking outside, she pulled out her mail and flipped through it.

As usual, nothing from anyone they knew. Just solicitors. She frowned as she saw a tabloid magazine similar to the ones in the United States. She hadn't ordered this. She looked at the major story. Kamura Naozumi, the kid she'd once co-starred with.

Trudging her feet inside, she set down the rest of the mail and plopped down on the couch. She read the headline. "'Superstar Naozumi Finally Gives Interview About Missing Actress Sana!'" Her glower deepened. How dare they talk about her! The rumors were supposed to have died by now!

Furiously she flipped open to the cover story, skimming the lines and muttering what she read. "'Naozumi-kun . . . you know where Sana-chan is. . . . No. . . . Where do you think . . . Probably somewhere far away.'" She glanced to the next page. "'Why do you think Sana-chan is missing!' Because of nosy reporters like you who don't mind their own fucking business! He better not have said something cliche. 'Wanted to . . .' Get away from her family and friends! Pissed off with someone? You haven't seen me pissed off, Kamura! Just wait; I'll wring my hands around your throat!" Rage engulfed her. So much for wanted to take the pressure and spotlight off of her. Instead he was piling it on her! Tomorrow every girl would be reading this magazine and talking about her again. Exactly what she didn't want!

Looking above, she pleaded, "Kami-sama, what did I do to deserve this?"

--->--->--->

True to her thoughts, the next day almost every girl in class had the magazine in her hands, and those who didn't grouped together with others to read the 'exclusive' interview. Sana clenched her hands, praying that her friends wouldn't be interested.

Just her luck, they were.

In fact, they were the first ones who came up to her to explain everything, like she didn't know because she was a gaijin.

"Sachiko-chan, look, look!" Fuka ordered her, shoving the magazine article in her face. Fuka pulled it away and pointed to it. "You see this guy here? Well, he's this old friend of Sana-chan! She went to 'im with tons of things! He says he don't know where she is, but I bet you, girl, that he's lyin'! He's the only one Sana-chan would tell! The fact that he don't give an interview 'bout her 'til now proves he knows somethin' we don't!"

"Fuka-chan." The riled girl looked at her. Sana continued diplomatically, "Isn't it possible that he didn't give an interview before because he didn't want to fuel the rumors?" Wow, I'm surprising even myself with this logic! "Or maybe the subject was too personal to discuss and he wanted to wait a while so the press wouldn't insert their own little comments. The longer you wait, the more accurate the information they publish can be. Trust me, I'm from the center of gossip and know what I'm talking about."

Fuka chewed on her lip. "Well . . . I s'pose that might be true. I still think he knows somethin' we don't. He's a celebrity an' all. He has connections." Changing the subject, she said, "Have ya seen Aya-chan or Tsuyoshi-kun?"

Sana grinned. "Nope. My guess is that they're making out in the storage closet or something."

"Ew!" Fuka exclaimed. "You are definitely from Amerika! Only an American would say that!"

Sana shrugged. "English teens would probably say it, too."

"Whatever." Her friend paused. "Well, then, have ya seen Aki-kun yet? I need to get the magazines burned 'fore he arrives, so he don't see. Touchy with that subject, ya know? Been more pissed off than usual, though. Eh. Wonder what's up."

Sana forced a smile. "I have no idea. But I need to talk to him as well. Congratulate him on that tournament his dojo did."

Fuka stared confusingly at her. "Ya didn't hear? They lost! Don't know how. I mean, they gots Aki-kun. . . ." She sighed. "Best not to mention it. It'll just upset 'im more. That's somethin' we don't need."

And the day continued like that, with everyone gossiping.

The only problem was that Hayama never showed up at all. . . .

--->--->--->

Glossary of Translations:

sumimasen–excuse me; pardon me.

Amerika–United States of America

tomodachi–friend

haiyaku–hurry. Also, 'hurry up!'

chotto matte–hold on. In slang, 'Wait a little bit!'

konban wa–good evening; good afternoon.

gaijin–foreigner

Author's Note: There's Chapter 8. I'm back in the groove! I've gotten this story's vibe back! All I needed to do was introduce other characters! My birthday's a week from today, I'm so excited! Oh god. I just started singing, 'I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!' My family thinks I'm crazy now. Just great.