Episode 2 : Opposing Force

It was two weeks since Yuffie was at this new school. It was petty cool. Ok she had had detentions a few times, but it got her to know well Reno and Rude two of the security staff. The others were pretty cool two. Spiky was nice enough. He was meant to be Tifa's best friend but Yuffie smelled something else was on its way, even if they didn't know it. Joe and Silvia were the two cute lovebirds of the class, although she was in wonder on how Silvia could stand his fascination with movies. The two twins were cool. Dante was a rebel like her and they spent a lot of time talking together during detention whereas Vergil seemed like a preppy but had managed to duff up Loz when he tried to flush him down the toilet. Alyx was nice despite the fact she spent way too much time with the geeks such as Gordon, Hal and Snake who, despite not being one, hanged out with them. Nevan was friendly, way too friendly, with everyone. She was briefly explained that the redhead was quite a …companionship girl. That was the fancy way of saying she was a bit of a slut. Her friend Ivy was more reserved and a little stuck up. Meryl was also new and quite nice despite being naïve. Vincent had hardly uttered a word since he was here. The guy looked like HE was gonna jump under a bus. Of course, not everyone was nice. Kadaj and his brothers were natural bullies, despite being first class moma boys always yapping about "pleasing mother". Creepy. Seifer and his cronies were bullies too. He always gets into fights with everyone, including the last and most interesting specimen: Squall. There was a fine line between cool and downright cold. Squall was treading on this line. He looked sharp in his black jacket with the wings on the back and that lion chain was just way to cool. On the other hand, he hardly talked and never sounded friendly or laughed. His mood was always stuck on neutral. The only time his face changed, it was annoyance and that wasn't good either. Yuffie was very curious on why he was like that.

These thoughts were normal for a girl her age. They were even commonly accepted by adults. But not during lessons.

- Miss Kirasagi, can you please tell me Newton's second law?

She was awoken from her deep thoughts by Dr Kleiner, the physics teacher. That was embarrassing for her. She had no clue what the answer was.

- Er.. I know it, I just need a few seconds to remember how it's said.

While saying that, she was desperately trying to find a way of sneaking out of that one. That proved unnecessary. Tifa nudged her and pointed the book. Yuffie quickly realized she was meant to read it.

- Ah, found it. It's …. (cites Newton's second law. No bloody way I'm doing physics on my after hours.).

Kleiner simply smiled in his nice way.

- Thank you very much. So, as you can all see on the diagram…

Kleiner went on about the lesson. Tifa whispered at her.

- Nice going. Especially on parents day.

Parents day?!!! Of no!! The day Yuffie always feared, when her father would meet up with the teachers and hear about her. She was soooo dead.

- Now, I will demonstrate this theory on a live subject. Now, let's find Lamarr.

The teacher was looking on one of the cages in the shelves.

- Oh dear oh dear. It seems she has escaped again.

In a general reaction that surprised Yuffie, practically the whole class covered their heads with hands, helmets, books, anything. She turned to Tifa, completely puzzled.

- Just put this book on the top of your head.

- Why.

- You'll find out very soon.

While professor Kleiner was searching the room for the animal, the whole class looked around apprehensively. Even Vincent seemed alert. What was Lamarr?

Her question was soon answered when someone knocked at the door. Kleiner went to open, and a woman came in. Or at least Yuffie thought it was a woman, since some sort of crab thing covered her face and the top of her head. She could see long blond hair going down from it.

- I believe I have something that belongs to you professor.

The tone of the woman indicated she was rather in a bad mood.

- Lamarr. Come on jump.

The creature happily jumped on his bold head.

- I hope she wasn't trouble. She isn't dangerous but is a bit unruly.

Yuffie saw that the woman was in fact that new maths teacher, Miss Trepe. Her expression was rather annoyed.

- Well, I do have one casualty. By the way, do you know where senior D has lessons currently?

- It is them here.

- Very well. Is Squall Leonhart present?

Squall simply lifted his hand.

- Your brother got wounded during the… incident. I need you to come with me to the nurse's office.

She could hear Squall mumble something that sounded like: "How did that idiot do that?"

Five minutes earlier.

- So, according to Pythagoras's theorem, …

How could such a sexy girl be so boring? Miss Trepe was probably the best looking teacher of the whole school, yet Irvine risked death by boredom. Maths were boring, no matter who taught them. At least, she got the impression he was paying attention to the class. Except of course if she ever asked a question, there he was lost. Right now, he was dying for something interesting to happen, anything!

Yevon must have had a strange sense of humor because his wish was granted.

- EEEEEKKKKK!!!!!!

Irvine recognized Kairi screaming. He looked towards her and noticed some sort of four legged crab was on her desk. Then pandemonium broke loose. Kairi jumped off her seat to avoid the headcrab sending the chair to Sora sitting behind her. He took it straight on the face and fell backwards nearly breaking his neck on the desk behind hadn't it been for Riku's quick reflexes. Meanwhile, Kairi was franticly running from the headcrab who seemed to really want her head. Others moved and covered themselves to avoid the attention of the headcrab. The running ended up at the teacher's desk where Miss Trepe rose up and tried to tackle the thing. It half worked since the head crab jumped on her instead on fixed itself on her.

The panic toped as the students realized it was no longer a threat. Despite not seeing her face, Irvine could see she was pissed off.

- It is Ok Kairi, you can come out. The blasted thing is on my head.

Kairi came out, looking very embarrassed about the situation. The teacher then turned to the class.

- Any survivors?

Riku rose up, standing next to a knocked down Sora. He was bleeding.

- Sora took a hit. He's bleeding.

Kairi looked panicked now.

- Oh Yevon! Sorry! I didn't want to hurt him. Is he OK? Is he conscious?

- Eeerrrrrggg, I can see stars. Is it already night?

The teacher sounded reassured.

- He's alive. Riku, please take him to the nurse's office.

She walked to the PA system.

- Tseng, please send me someone in A-5.

A few seconds later, Reno opened the door, coming in.

- What's the problem ?

He then saw the teacher and understood very quickly.

- Ok, got it. I think I just won 30 gils.

- Would you mind watching the class while I… return this to its owner.

- Kleiner's in B-4.

Back to the present.

Squall and Miss Trepe were in the corridor walking towards the nurse's office.

- How did my brother succeed in ending up hurt?

- When this thing showed up, one of the girls in the class panicked and a he got hit by a chair.

They both arrived at the office and went in. Squall could see Riku, Sora's best friend, sitting on one of the chairs. Meanwhile, they could hear Dr Kadowaski talking in the next room. Squall and the teacher simply sat opposite to him.

- How's my brother doing?

- Bah, he'll live. Not the first time a girl hits him on the head. Kadowaski's just applying the usual bandages and stuff.

The teacher simply looked relieved before sort of realizing something.

- When that security officer said he won 30 gils, what did he mean?

Riku did the tutorial:

- I would of thought someone had warned you miss. Lamarr keeps escaping. It's a bit of an occupational hazard if you work here miss. I guess Reno made a bet.

They waited for a few minutes in the room while the doctor was doing her job on Sora. Miss Trepe apparently thought a bit of conversation would be welcome.

- Sorry to ask you that Mister Leonhart, but didn't I use to give you private lessons.

Now that she mentioned it, Squall did seem to remember someone like her. Two years ago, his mother had hired a student to help him in maths after missing 4 months of school due to being sick. A girl named Quistis if he remembered.

- I think you might be right miss.

- Your mother owns that pub right?

- It is her.

- Thought I recognized you.

The door opened and Kadowaski came out followed by a Sora with a bandage on his nose.

- Hey Squall.

- I usually get the older brother here. So, how did that happen? Did you decide to imitate your brother and start fights with a rival?

Miss Trepe answered for him.

- He was hit by a chair when.. Lamarr, that's what it's called, joined our class.

- Kleiner, why does he even bother with that hazardous pet of his? Oh well, Squall, Sora is going to have to go home for today. I called your mother and she's got too much work. You need to take him home.

Riku muttered something that sounded like "you lucky bastard" but low enough for no one to hear.

- What about the lessons I miss?

- I'm sure someone will be glad to give them to you. I'll warn Mr. Tuesty about your departure. It won't bring any problems.

Squall and Sora headed to the exit. Riku signed Sora.

- Good luck for this evening, Sora.

- Yeah yeah.

- I hope I won't see any of you two too soon in my office again. Keep away from Seifer Squall, will you.

- Whatever…

As he was about to leave, Miss Trepe said:

- Nice seeing you again, Squall.

Squall never saw the expression of malice that went on what was left of Sora's face. He had a cunning plan.

xxxxxxx

Back in physics class, Kleiner was trying to demonstrate the application of physics on Lamarr but the headcrab seemed more like wanting to play with the students. In the end, Kleiner just gave up.

- Ok Lamarr, if you refuse to cooperate, I'll be forced to put you back in your cage.

While he was busy with the Herculean task of putting a headcrab in its cage, Vergil, who was bored of hearing his brother and Joe talk about zombie movies, decided to look around the other sad specimens he was sharing the room with. Squall, the only sane male specimen of this class, save for Vergil, had just left and didn't look like he was coming back. He guessed he just had to center on the lecture enough to forget about his troubles. Even the females were completely mad. The only one who seemed normal to him was Isabella Valentine, or Ivy as most called her. Professor Kleiner had somehow succeeded in putting the headcrab in its cage and had instead taken a hamster out of another cage.

- Class, this is Bouh, our new lab companion.

He showed the hamster to the whole class before showing the applications of gravity on it. It was more cooperative than Lamarr and didn't cause a riot if it escaped. After many long minutes, the bell rang and everyone was about to leave class when Kleiner stopped them:

- By the way, remember that you need to make teams for the science project to give at the end of year. Up to four people and classes can be mixed since everyone in the year is doing this. It can be on physics, maths or biology. It can mix all of them if wanted.

xxxxxxx

It was afternoon break, Roxas, Hayner, Olette and Pence were discussing the day. Hayner was commenting about the attack by Kleiner's pet Headcrab.

- That was sooooo funny, I mean come on ! Was like one of those Benny Hill cartoons with people running after each other.

Olette looked at him a little disapprovingly.

- Yeah, except it's real life. Sora got hurt.

- He'll recover.

Roxas, nearly getting bored stupid by this pointless conversation, decided to walk around.

- I'm gonna get a snack…

He went around the school, watching people's behaviors. Tidus, Raiden and Irvine were playing blitzball pretty much as usual. The Yuripa were talking some sort of girl stuff with Rose while looking at the boys playing.

Meanwhile, he could see a few of the other girls sitting under a tree. Jasmine seemed to be posing while that new girl in white was drawing her. Pushed by curiosity, Roxas went and joined them. Next to the girl was her sister, Kairi if he remembered, Selphie and E.E. standing behind her.

- Hey girls, what's up ?

Selphie lifted her head.

- Nami is drawing Jasmine. She's a bit of an artist.

Roxas took a few seconds to look at the drawing. That was definitely Jasmine there, but she was dressed as some sort of princess. He had to admit, it was a good piece of work.

- You're good. It even looks better than the original.

The redhead poser was quick to react. She seemed like she wanted to move, but realized she would lose the pose if she did so.

- Hey! E.E., smack him from me.

Emma obligated and smacked Roxas on the back of his head.

- Ouch!! But seriously, it's good. You should see it Jas.

Namine lifted her head to look at him.

- Are you serious about that ?

- Selphie, do I ever compliment without meaning it ?

- No, he says it when he hates stuff. That's not good either.

Namine gave him a smile.

- Thanks.

xxxxxxxxx

It was now 5 a clock in the evening, i.e. time for parent's night at Radiant High. Jack (alias Big Boss) and Eva Haiter were moving amongst the other parents eager to know about how their offspring were doing.

- Jack, I'll do George and half of David's. How about that ? I'll be done at better speed.

- Fine by me. Just leave me the Fury. It's been a long time.

- For Hyne's sake Jack ! Just call him Highwind like everyone else.

The couple separated and Big Boss headed for the room where the ex-cobra was and noticed with dismay that a queue was already in front of him. Well, the Fury WAS the main teacher for David's class. He was gonna have to wait. He looked at the queue in front of him. The guy currently speaking to the Fury was the Loire father, oh well that would be short, Squall wasn't exactly a bad student according to intelligence he had. There was behind him a stern looking man, of Wutaian origin if he wasn't mistaken and behind him was the Strife mother. He felt sorry for her since she had to do all of the teachers by herself: she was a widow.

The Loire father had finished and left muttering, "Oh well, that's Squall for you.."

It was the Wutaian man's turn. The Fury asked for his name:

- Godo Kisaragi, father of Yuffie.

Big Boss guessed by the Fury's expression that this was a problem student. Great…

- Just wait for a minute sir.

He went to the parents behind.

- Bad news people, this is gonna take a fxxxing long time.

The parents behind groaned a little. The Strife mother turned back, apparently deciding conversation would be a good way of killing time.

- Oh, hello Jack. Isn't that just our luck, getting the problem student before us?

A feminine voice behind him answered:

- And after…

He turned around and saw a quite stunning woman. She was wearing a summer dress and had long blond hair. He didn't know her.

- My name is Eva Redgrave..

- Eva… why are all the beautiful woman called Eva?

She looked at him a bit strangely.

- I am married you know.

Ms Strife corrected the misconception.

- His wife is also called Eva.

- Ooohhhh, I see. Sorry for my mistake.

- No problem. By the way, I don't think we met before. I'm Elizabeth Strife, mother of Cloud.

- Ah yes, my son Dante mentioned him, or more accurately his new bike.

Big boss interjected in:

- So you're the mother of those two twins.

- That would be me yes.

The three parents talked for the next five minutes, comparing their offspring in different ways. At some point, the Wutaian man left, with a very red face. Big Boss guessed his daughter was a bit of a troublemaker. The Strife mother left him and Eva to continue talking. Then, the Strife mother had left and it was his turn. He walked towards the Fury who had suddenly recognized him.

- Fxxxing hell! The Boss's apprentice. Should have known, the David kid looked way too much like you. By the way, is your real name Jack? She kept calling you that.

- Yes, it is my real name… Cid. I can't believe it, you having a name as common as Cid.

- Hey! Don't blame me for my parent's lack of imagination.

The two ex soldiers talked while Eva groaned. She had two busy cases in a row, not counting her.

xxxxxxx

It was now 8 a clock. Parents were coming back.

Kisaragi pagoda:

- YUFFIE!!!!!!

Haiter House:

- SNAKE!!!!!

Sparda Manor:

- DANTE!!!!!!!

Jecht's villa:

- Hic.. Tidus ?

- Yes ?

- Just checking if you're there.

- What did they say about me ?

- Who?

- The teachers, duhh…

- Damn, I knew I was supposed to go somewhere!

- Groan…

Loire house:

- SQUALL.. SORA!!!

- Yes ?

- We're getting pizza, what do you want?

End of episode 2.

Ok, the silliness level went very high here. But the plot is thickening. What is Sora's master plan ? Will Lamarr ever be tamed? Where was Jecht that evening? Answers to these questions and more in the next episode: Digital Devil Saga.