Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi nor do I own its characters. I am merely borrowing it for this story. It belongs to its creator, Yuu Watase and to those people who bought the rights for it. But I do own Michelle and Ayashi.
Summary: The famous band Scarlet Phoenix is back in Japan from its tour around Europe. The four band members are forced to study in Jonan High while preparing for their next tours and concerts. They bump with two high school girls who, coincidentally, also studies in the same school. Love, friendship and forgotten memories unfold as they get to know each other as well as other people.
Scarlet Phoenix
Chapter 9: School Clubs
---Lunch Break---
" Hey guys! So, how do you like our school so far?" Michelle asked cheerfully.
"Well…the facilities are nice…" Hotohori answered.
"Yes…the facilities are nice but…" Nuriko agreed.
"When will these women stop stalking us?!" Tasuki yelled in frustation.
Michelle laughed nervously as she glanced at the said stalkers. She gave Ayashi a look that said "your-turn-good-luck-I-know-you-can-do-it" before walking a little faster.
Ayashi sweat dropped as she also peeked at the crowd of drooling girls behind them. She sighed in exasperation as she thought to herself. 'Why me? It's so not fair. Sure, Michelle did try fending them off a few times already but these girls are just way too stubborn!'
Michelle glanced back at her now troubled friend and a wave of guilt overcame her. 'This is all my fault…Aya-chan wouldn't even be here right now if it wasn't for me…what would be the best way to get rid of them? We've almost finished touring around the school campus…but we can't eat lunch with these girls around…'
'Oh well. As the saying goes, 'Try and try until you succeed.'."
Taking a deep breath, she stopped walking and turned around to face those following behind her. The looks of confusion that her companions gave her were ignored as she steeled herself on what she should say.
"Ladies," She began. "Could you please stop following us? You're making our new students feel uncomfortable and, not to mention, scared. They won't be able to eat and they might get sick because of stress. You wouldn't want that to happen now, do you?"
The girls shook their heads. Michelle gave them a friendly smile as she inclined her head to one side and said, "Thank you. Now you should go and eat your meals before they get cold."
The girls began to disperse and head toward different directions. The boys sighed in relief as soon as they were out of sight. Michelle began to walk again and they all followed her once again.
"Thanks a lot for that," Nuriko said, falling into step beside her.
"Sure, no problem," Came her reply.
"Do you think they'll follow us again tomorrow?" Suboshi asked, worried.
"Yup. No doubt about it," Ayashi answered him.
He groaned and shook his head.
"I hate women. They're always like that," Tasuki declared.
Tamahome elbowed his ribs while Nuriko stopped walking and turned to him, whacking Tasuki's head with his fist.
"Owww." Tasuki moaned.
"Serves you right," Tamahome and Nuriko both said.
"I have to warn you guys though," Michelle said seriously.
"What is it Hanamoto-san?" Amiboshi asked.
"You better be prepared to get mobbed and given lunches by the girls starting tomorrow. Oh, and a fan's club too if you don't already have one," Michelle finished matter-of-factly. "Speaking of which, Ayashi, about your fan's club…"
"Please don't mention that right now…" Ayashi pleaded.
"Well…it's hard to stall them you know…why don't you just…confront them…?" Michelle pointed out.
"I already did that remember?"
"Yes…but you weren't really direct to the point."
Ayashi let out a sigh of frustration as she averted her gaze from Michelle's concerned light brown ones. Michelle stared at her for a minute longer before she also looked away. 'Typical Ayashi: Always too nice to others.'
'She needs to learn how to stand up on her own two feet. She needs to learn how to defend herself against others.' Michelle thought firmly.
"You guys have some serious issues that you need to face," Michelle declared.
"Yeah," The others agreed, their shoulder's slumping forward in depression.
"But," Michelle quickly added. "Let's not dwell on that right now. For now, let's go sit there and eat," She pointed towards a nearby clump of cherry blossom trees.
She gestured for them to follow her as she sat down below one of the trees. The others followed her and they too, sat down on the grass below the trees. They took out their lunches, the boys brought out the food that they had bought at the cafeteria, and began to eat in silence.
'Umm…so, have you guys decided on which club you're joining?" Michelle asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Umm…I'd like to join the Music club…" Amiboshi answered.
"Really? What instrument do you play?" Michelle asked, curious.
"Onii-san is a great flautist," Suboshi answered proudly.
Amiboshi flushed shyly as he averted his gaze. Michelle smiled and said, "So…you're a flautist huh? Maybe you can let us hear you play sometime?"
Amiboshi nodded, his blush darkening. Tasuki whistled and commented, "Whoa, you're as red as a tomato man."
"Tasuki! Stop embarrassing the poor boy!" Nuriko scolded.
"Anyway, I'm joining the Karate club," Tamahome announced.
"So am I," Nuriko said.
"I am joining the Music club and probably the Kendo Club as well," Hotohori said calmly.
"I think I'll join the Tennis team," Suboshi said.
"Which club should I join?" Tasuki asked.
"How about the Swimming club?" Tamahome suggested slyly.
"Haha. Shut up Tama-boy!" Tasuki growled.
"Ehh? Why? What's wrong with the Swimming club?" Ayashi asked.
"Oh, nothing really. It's just that Tasuki---" Tamahome started to explain but Tasuki covered his mouth. Tamahome bit hard on Tasuki's hand which made Tasuki yelp and let go.
"Tasuki doesn't know how to swim," Tamahome finished, smirking at Tasuki's angry expression.
"Oh…don't worry Tasuki-san! I don't know how to swim either!" Michelle said sympathetically.
"Really?" Tasuki asked hopefully.
"Yes. Since she almost drowned when she was small her father forbade her from getting near any pool, beach or whatever has any water in it except for her bathtub," Ayashi explained to them.
"Did that really happen to you?" Nuriko asked, worried.
"Yes. But that is all in the past already, don't worry about it," Michelle replied, blushing furiously.
"Uhh…anyway…about Tasuki-san..uhh..I think he should join the Soccer club…" Michelle suggested.
"Why?" Tamahome asked.
"I think it suits him…" Michelle explained, smiling brightly.
"How about you and Sakamoto-san?" Hotohori asked, curious.
"Yes. Gomen, I forgot to tell you guys that Ayashi is part of the Music club and the Swimming club," Michelle replied sheepishly.
"Oh. And you?" Tamahome asked.
"Me? I'm in the Karate club, Archery club and the Kendo club," Michelle answered quietly.
"So the three of us will be together then!" Tamahome exclaimed happily, gesturing towards Nuriko and Michelle.
"Umm…yes…"
"Are you guys done eating?" Ayashi asked abruptly.
The boys nodded while Michelle quickly finished hers before putting it away like Ayashi did with her lunch box. The males threw the wrappers of their food on a nearby trash bin. They were all starting to head back towards their classroom when Michelle suddenly stopped walking.
"What's up?" Tamahome asked.
"Do you guys want to go and sign up for the clubs now?" Michelle asked them.
"Yes, we can drop by now. We still have time…" Ayashi agreed.
"Plus I have to see…sensei…" Michelle said quietly.
"Oh yeah…I forgot…uhhh…I think it would be best if they came with us…" Ayashi said nervously. She turned to look at the boys with pleading puppy dog eyes. "Please?"
The boys sweat dropped. No one can resist the "pleading puppy dog eyes" look so they merely nodded meekly and followed the two, now cheerful, girls. And so, they went to the school's dojo.
---Outside the School's Dojo---
"Uhh…guys? Well…I was wondering…umm…could you guys enter first…?" Michelle requested.
Tamahome and Nuriko cautiously stepped inside followed by Suboshi, Amiboshi, Michelle, Ayashi, Hotohori and Tasuki. As soon as Michelle and Ayashi stepped inside, a shadowed figure jumped towards them. Michelle pulled Ayashi towards her as she side-stepped the figure. The figure landed crouching beside them. Michelle pushed Ayashi towards Hotohori, who was behind them, before she turned to face the figure with Ayashi safe in Hotohori's arms.
"Move away everyone!" Michelle ordered them, her voice serious.
The confused boys did as they were told while Hotohori still had his arms around Ayashi as if shielding her from any danger that might happen to her. Ayashi flushed at the gesture but she kept her gaze fixed on Michelle.
The figure stood straight and turned to face Michelle. Tasuki found the light switch so he turned it on. The light momentarily blinded everyone except Michelle and the figure. The figure tackled Michelle but she dodged it easily. Using the back of her leg, she kicked the figure full force, making him land on his face.
"Oww…" The figure groaned. With the lights on, they could now clearly see that the figure who had attacked them just a few seconds ago was actually a young man with short silver hair.
"Tokaki-sensei!" Michelle scolded him, her hands on her hips.
The young man swiftly sat up and gave her a sheepish grin, his golden brown eyes was twinkling with regret. Regret that he still couldn't have his perverted ways with her around, that is.
"I am so gonna tell on you!" She threatened.
Tokaki stood up and raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I give up. Gomen, gomen."
"Vous soyez resté toujours le même, non?" She remarked, her eyes narrowing at him.
Tokaki laughed nervously. "Of course I have changed! Don't be like that. And I am sorry. It's just that I really missed you and Sakamoto-san that's all."
"I'm sure you'll do it again, non?" Michelle continued, ignoring his apology.
"Oh come on Michelle! Live a little!" Tokaki protested. "Uhh…you won't tell on me…right?" He added nervously.
"I'll think about it," Came Michelle's noncommittal reply.
Tokaki groaned and Michelle, finally giving in, went towards him and gave him a friendly hug. He hugged her back and whispered something in her ear which made her blush.
"Uhh…who are YOU?" Tamahome asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Me?" Tokaki answered, loosening his arms around Michelle and turning his head to look at Tamahome. "I'm Tokaki-sensei and I'm the Physical Education and Karate teacher of this school."
Michelle moved away from him and asked. "Have you two eaten yet? Where is onee-chan?"
"She went to her next class and yes, we already ate together," He answered.
"Oh…I see.."
Michelle turned her head to see if Ayashi was unharmed. She grinned when she saw that Ayashi was still locked in Hotohori's arms. Her eyes dancing with mischief, she commented, "Uhh…Hotohori-san…you can let Aya-chan go now…you're hugging her likethere's no tomorrowand it kinda gives me the creeps."
Hotohori and Ayashi's face turned a dark shade of red as they moved away from each other quickly.
"Thanks a lot. They were also giving me the creeps," Suboshi said.
"Sure, no problem! Hey Tasuki-san! You should be glad! You don't need to puke anymore!" Michelle teased.
"Who said I was going to puke?!" Tasuki shouted.
"Ohh…well…you were giving a really good impression that you were…what, with your face turning purple and all…" Michelle said slyly.
"What?! I was not!" Tasuki protested.
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say Tasuki-san," Michelle shrugged. "So…when are you two lovebirds---I mean newly acquainted friends going to the Music club? I can get the others briefed about their chosen clubs…after all; Tokaki-sensei is the teacher handling all of them."
Ayashi gave her death glare before she answer, "I guess we can go now…" She glanced at Hotohori and Amiboshi before sighing wearily. 'This girl is up to something…I just know it.'
"Well then, I'll help Tokaki-sensei with the others while you guys go there," Michelle chirped.
"Fine." The three of them began to walk out the dojo.
"Bye! Take care you guys! Beware of stalkers!" Michelle and Nuriko waved at them.
"Onii-san! Be careful!" Suboshi shouted after them.
Amiboshi looked over his shoulder and smiled at his brother.
"Ayashi!! Take the long path! The one near the gardens! No one would think you'll go that way!" Michelle said loudly, cupping her hands around her mouth.
Ayashi raised her hand and waved it in thanks. Michelle smiled and turned back to Tokaki who was watching her closely.
"You've changed…" He said quietly so only she could hear him.
Michelle shrugged. "I guess…a little only though…"
Tokaki grinned and shook his head. 'She seems…happier…I wonder what happened…?'
Michelle was watching him intently, reading his thoughts, she answered his unspoken question. "Because Aya-chan is finally going to fall in love!"
"Ehh? What do you mean?" Tokaki asked, confused.
Michelle smiled mischievously and motioned for him to bend down. Once he had bent down, she whispered in his ear, "These gentlemen…she's beginning to like one or two of them already…she's starting to develop certain…feelings for them…I'm sure of it…so…"
She straightened and grinned "I'm playing matchmaker!"
"Hey! What are you two whispering about?" Tamahome asked, walking towards them.
"Nothing!" Michelle answered.
Tamahome eyed them suspiciously but he didn't say anything else. Nuriko and Tasuki joined them once Ayashi, Hotohori and Amiboshi were out of sight.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Nuriko asked.
"I'll brief you about your chosen clubs and explain your schedules to you now," Tokaki announced, getting their attention.
Author's Notes:
Hi everyone!!! How's it going? I edited this chapter. Again. Well, at least this is the longest chapter that I had updated. I'm ditching my old story plan, I'll edit it to fit the new…story sequences that I had done. Anyway, I'd love to hear from all of you readers out there. Oh and I'll might post a new story or two soon! Crazy ideas just pop in my mind. This story was edited, the original plot was really nice (for me anyway) since the twists were…interesting…unfortunately I have to change it…but I'll try to insert those twists in this fic for as much as I can! Reviews, comments, criticisms, recommendations, suggestions for the songs to be used in the story and suggestions for the pairings, etc. are welcomed except for ill words. I don't take too kindly about it. Please leave a review! Anonymous readers can also review this story now; I fixed it up so please kindly review! Please??? I would really, really appreciate it!!! Thanks in advance!!!!! Oh and for Fiction101, about your questions…well…you'll find out soon and I really want to hear your ideas and I do need them. I would love to hear from you again. Please e-mail. Thanks!!!
P.S. I just want to tell everyone that I might not be able to update anytime soon. This is because:
Classes are about to start again.
I'm not sure what should happen next.
I'm trying to arrange the ideas inside of my mind.
My mind is currently preoccupied so it's kinda hard to…arrange it.
Nobody reviews.
So I'm depressed.
Although I might update anyway. I'm not sure. Sorry. I'm being selfish and a bit childish. I'm sorry. I'll just try my best to update soon.