Azumanga Daioh: The Fan Fiction

Author Notes (AN)- Thank you anyone and everyone who has taken the time to read my fan fiction. I'm definitely glad to have some fans, and also glad to take in some creative criticisms. I whole heartedly endorse both. I've been doing some research in the series (for ideas, confirmation on character behavior, and such) and I'm sorry this one has taken a little longer than normal. It's been rewritten a few times, and may even still get a revision. I did some touching up on the last chapter, but I don't believe it's anything major. More addition to detail and a couple extra lines, I think.

Anyhow, please, read and review, and if you want to contact me about anything, I'd love an email Information- Nope. I don't own it. Wish I did, cause then I'd know I was a friggin genius. Oh well, the story and characters all belong to the creator, Kiyohiko Azuma, and A.D.V. Manga takes the cake for licensing it out this way. So thank you all who helped bring this masterpiece over here stateside and into our homes and hearts. Now please don't sue me, I'm just a poor guy living on his own with a brand new laptop. Yep, rents gonna be late.

Chapter 2: Falling Onto Love

Everything was black. Up, down, left, right….it was all black. The world had gone out and breathing was difficult. But that's what happens sometimes. Finally, with a great deal of strength, Sakaki forced opened her eyes and shook a dizziness out of her head. A moment later, she regained the lost breath that had been knocked out of her. Now, with everything back to normal, the girl could get a true grip on her surroundings…if only there wasn't a fully grown man laying perpendicular to her, on her. She sat up slowly and glanced around, remembering the events that just unfolded.

The young man, being goaded by the cat into entering a very unstable part of a tree branch, managed to cause the limb to break. Risking his very life, he leapt forward towards the cat, grabbing it and curling around the small creature, in a hope that his body could protect the beloved animal. He was to fall to his death, by landing on the back of head and breaking his neck. Thankfully, Sakaki was both a strong girl and a quick thinker. She darted forwards to catch him, but wasn't quite strong enough to keep on her own feet, causing her to fall backwards with him on top. The sheer force of it was enough to knock the wind out of her and stun her briefly.

And that is how Sakaki met Kenaeda Takemura, by inadvertently having him fall on her. Not quite befitting for love at first sight, but any start is a start, and that's what both of these two need.

After a few moments passed, Sakaki was starting to get worried. Not only about the man laying across her, but about herself as well. It was a strange situation, and she didn't like to be at the center of attention. Fortunately they weren't in a popular or often traveled area of the park, so if anyone saw them, they would probably mistake them for a happy young couple. She took a moment to notice the strangers features. He had short, very dark brown hair, and had a slightly lighter than normal skin tone. He wore a pair of glasses which sat crooked on his face from the fall, and a partially square chin. Finally, after the weight of the situation had finally set in on her, she took action and tried to wake the young man.

Sakaki: " H-hey! Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

The man was unresponsive, however, the cat he was protecting pulled itself free from his arms. It looked around for a moment, then up at Sakaki who was staring dumbfounded at it. The small creature made a tiny little meow, stepping over it's owner and to the woman in front of him. He began sniffing around her, then moved up more to brush against her body. Sakaki gasped briefly, partially shocked that this cat had taken such a liking for her. It surprised her that it didn't try to scratch or bite her either, as was the case with most cats. She began to reach out to the pint sized cat, holding her hand out with her palm face up, hoping to get a response from him. After taking a moment to sniff her hand, the cat rubbed his head along her fingers and thumb, running his whole body along her hand before too long. She smiled, while a haze of blush washed over her face, and began to pet the animal, taking a great deal of joy in actually getting to cat to let her pet it. It's not like her own cat didn't count, but just like herself, her pet was not ordinary. For her, this was almost like an acceptance by the cat. After her brief few moments of happiness, the man on top of her finally began to stir. His eyes slowly opened, then he blinked a few times, taking into view the gorgeous face of a woman hovering just above him.

Sakaki: " Hey! A-are you alright?"

It was all so surreal to Kenaeda, as he couldn't hear anything at first, or rather, what he heard didn't seem to make sense. Around the girls face, everything else was hazy, so she was the only thing he could focus on. Finally, after a few moments, everything returned to normal for Kenaeda, with his audio and visual receptors back in perfect working order.

Kenaeda: " Am I dead?"

Sakaki: " What? N-no…but can you move?"

She sounded fairly nervous, and suddenly he felt that he wasn't just laying on something, but rather on someone. He shot straight up and was back to his feet in almost an instant, realizing that he was laying on top of her.

Kenaeda: " I am so sorry Miss. I don't know what happened, but I'm sure it's my fault. Please don't be angry…"

Sakaki: " No, it's alright. Are you hurt?"

He looked around himself, checking his stomach, chest, back, neck, and head for any signs of injury, but the only real pain he was feeling was from the scratch on his arm. He smiled and shook his head, holding out his hand to her.

Kenaeda: " No, I'm fine. Just a couple of scratches, nothing significant. What happened though? I remember falling, and then…yeah…heh heh."

Sakaki's eyes focused on his hand that had been stretched towards her. With one hand, she clutched the cat against her body, securing it tightly to her torso, and with the other, took Kenaeda's hand and allowed him to help her off the ground. Her hand was warm and soft, and he could feel a kind and passive feeling just by taking it.

Sakaki: " You see…you fell out of the tree…and I tried to catch you…but I wasn't strong enough to stay standing, so when I fell back, you must have hit you head on something. I'm sorry."

Kenaeda: " You gotta be kidding me? You catch my idiot self falling out of a tree and apologize for me bumping my head? Wow, you're something else. Well, don't worry, I won't hold it against you, especially since it was my fault to begin with. And on top of that, seems like my little friend likes you a whole bunch."

He nodded down towards the cat, whom she had curled up in her arms. It was sound asleep, purring softly without a care. Sakaki nodded, agreeing with Kenaeda about the cat. They stood there for a moment in silence, both unsure of what to say or do. Finally, Kenaeda broke the silence.

Kenaeda: " Oh, I guess I haven't told you my name. I'm Kenaeda Takemura, but my friends call me Ken."

Sakaki: " Sakaki… I mean, that's my name…"

Kenaeda: " Then it's very nice to meet you Sakaki."

Sakaki: " Yeah…likewise."

Kenaeda: " So do you ride through the park a lot? I'm here a few times in the week, but I've never actually seen you around."

Sakaki: " Oh, not really. I was just taking a short cut through."

Kenaeda: " I'm sorry, I guess you must have been in a hurry. Anything I can do to make up for it?"

Sakaki: " I was just going to the grocery store…"

Kenaeda: " Really? Then how about I make it up to you and buy you dinner!"

Sakaki: " You don't really have to…"

Kenaeda: " No, I insist. Please, let me make this up to you."

He bowed to her and everything, doing whatever he could to show her his earnestness. Truly he just wanted to make this up to her. She could have been anyone in the whole world, and he would have made that same offer without hesitation, but in the deepest parts of his mind and heart, there was a nervousness that he hadn't felt in a very long time. For this girl was absolutely gorgeous, and from what he could tell, a genuine person. Kind, warm hearted, these were all the things he was perceiving from her. So in the deep most reaches of his heart, he hoped and prayed for a yes.

As for Sakaki, she looked to the ground, not wanting to be faced with Kenaeda's gaze. She felt unsure of herself, and doubted whether this idea was wise or not. It had nothing to do with Kenaeda, in fact, it had everything to do with herself. She had school in the morning, and she had to get back to Maya so he wouldn't get lonely. Plus, she wanted to try and get a hold of Chiyo before bedtime too, and the difference in the time zones made it troublesome. She weighed out all of these tasks over this gentleman's proposal to treat her to dinner of some kind. Though the clear and obviously choice was to decline the offer, something deep inside her nagged her, and told her to accept the offer. Finally, with a high pitched cry from the animal in her arms, Sakaki made her decision.

Sakaki: " …Alright. But I don't want much. Maybe we could just get some Ramen…"

Kenaeda: " Ramen? Is that what you want?"

Sakaki: " I don't like lavish or fancy things. Ramen would be just fine."

Kenaeda: " Then Ramen it is. Do you have a favorite stand?"

Sakaki: " No, not really."

Kenaeda: " Then we'll go to this one place I know. I go there all the time, and it's really just a tiny little stand, but the Ramen is great! It's not too far off from here, if that's alright."

Sakaki nodded, and the pair made their way to the parks main exit. It was quite a sight to behold, as the pair walked down the street, side by side. Sakaki held the cat in her arms and Kenaeda walked Sakaki's bike for her. He guided them through the city streets, and within about ten minutes, they arrived at a shack on the sidewalk with a small curtain drawn over the seats. Kenaeda pulled a chair out for Sakaki, then took a seat next to her. An old woman with white hair and a yellow apron turned around, hearing a pair of customers sit. She saw Kenaeda seated with a woman and had to rub her eyes to make sure it was true.

Kumi: " My lord, is that really you Ken?"

Ken: " Yes it is, Ms. Hadoro, and how have you been?"

Kumi: " Same as always! Business is terrible."

Ken: " Well, I told you, if you want more business, you're gonna have to move out to a more populated area."

Kumi: " But I've been here for longer than you've been around. It'd be a shame if I just abandoned this post now. Either way, I'm older than you and you have to respect my judgment, so there!"

Ken: " What about the customer is always right?"

Kumi: " Maybe, but respecting your elders should still come first."

Ken: " Just you wait, I'll catch up just yet."

They shared a good laugh out of their faux argument, then Kumi turned her attentions on Sakaki.

Kumi: " So my dear, who are you, and how'd you get stuck at this old dump of a Ramen stand with this guy? Should've read the paper and checked your horoscope. Looks like bad luck was in your future."

Sakaki: " Oh, no. It's not like that. He…well…I mean, we kinda…"

She was stammering, not quite sure how to put the meeting in the park into words. This could not happen without embarrassing herself in her mind though, so she ended up just talking in a circle. Kumi chuckled, watching with delight. Ken came to her rescue with a grandiose story.

Kenaeda: " So there I was, chasing Big Chief through the park, when suddenly, I happened up the pretty miss here. She told me he was up in the tree and I leapt from the ground, and climbed the tree like Tarzan on his best day. But lo and behold, as I had Chief in my arms, the branch broke, and I was to plummet to my doom. And then, out of nowhere, there was a streak of black, followed by the scent of fresh springtime flowers. My heroine had appeared, and then she caught me and put me down safely."

Kumi: " So you fell out of a tree and she had the unfortunate joy of you landing on her, so now you've gotta pay her back."

Kenaeda: " Ok, so maybe I exaggerated it a bit, but hey, it's about time I get some more enjoyable company at this table."

Kumi: " Oh yeah? Well you can go have all the enjoyable company you want at the grocery store across the street. And while you're there, get me a thing of salt. If you want your beef ramen, I'll be needing it."

Kenaeda: " Yeah, alright. I'll be back Sakaki. If she says anything about me, don't listen to her. She's probably lying."

He gave her a wink, then trotted off across the street, entering the aforementioned store in order to purchase some salt. In the meantime, Kumi had a moment with Sakaki.

Kumi: " So what do you think?"

Sakaki: " Huh?"

Kumi: " About Kenaeda?"

Sakaki blushed at the question. She wasn't too sure herself, and the feeling she got from him she couldn't quite explain either. However, Kumi was wise in her late years, and knew these kinds of things very well.

Kumi: " I think he's a good boy. He's grown up to be a good man. I've known him since he was in middle school, and he is still the same. Used to come here every day after school and get something to eat. I'd let him help me out till one of his parents could come pick him up and take him home."

Sakaki: " Really?"

Kumi: " Yep. Even now, though he's in college, he makes time to come out here a couple times a week. He's says it's just to get something good to eat, but I know he can cook just fine. He's a sweet boy if you ask me, taking time out to give a lonely old lady some company."

Sakaki: " Oh, well you see…"

Kumi: " Yep. And you look like a nice girl yourself. Awful tall you are, but he's pretty tall too. Though, I think you may have him by a hair or two, but it's kinda hard to tell. My eyes aren't what they used to be. Back in my prime, I could find a needle in a hay stack."

Sakaki: " Really, I…"

Kumi: " So do you go to school too? Or do you live at home? Well child, tell me about yourself a little!"

Sakaki was slightly uncomfortable with Kumi's pushiness, and was about to give in, until Kenaeda popped back into the shop with a container of salt.

Kumi: " That was fast."

Kenaeda: " I had a sneezing fit in the store, and since I wasn't around the pepper, I decided I should hurry up."

Kumi: " Oh my, I believe I've been found out. Alright, so I know what you want Ken, how about you Sakaki?"

Sakaki: " If…you have shrimp of some kind…"

Kumi: " That's my specialty!"

The old woman went to work, minding about her business while the pair talked. She was fast and efficient, and had a flair that she used in her cooking, which was something one could only get from many years of practice. Finally, she finished up their meals, and set them down next to their drinks. Then she excused herself so she could use the restroom.

Kenaeda: " I know she seems a little strange, but Kumi's about as cool as they get."

Sakaki: " I suppose."

Kenaeda: " So, do you go to school or live around here?"

Sakaki: " Yeah, I live over in Fudawara."

Kenaeda: " That's cool. I live in Habaradoji, that's pretty close."

Sakaki nodded, starting at her ramen. Kenaeda did the same, trying to think of something to say. Finally, she heard the cat in her lap stir briefly, and she finally initiated some conversation.

Sakaki: " What is your cat's name?"

Kenaeda: " Oh, well, his name is Big Chief Running Bull. But I just like to call him Big Chief."

Sakaki: " I see."

Kenaeda: " Seems you like him a lot. Do you have any cats?"

Sakaki: " Yes, I have one."

Kenaeda: " Tell me about him."

Sakaki: " Ummm…he's a mixed breed."

Kenaeda: " A mixed breed?"

Sakaki: " Yes. A mixed breed."

She gave him a flat look, which warned him of asking any further questions at that time.

Kenaeda: " That's cool. I'm a bit of a cat person myself. Dog's don't seem to like me very well."

Sakaki: " It's the opposite with me. All my life, Cat's have always ran away from me."

Kenaeda: " Really? Kinda hard for me to tell, since Big Chief seems to like you more than me now."

Sakaki: " I-I don't think it's like that…"

Kenaeda: " Hmmm, oh well. Cat's are fickle creatures anyways."

She nodded, then gave Big Chief a pat on the head while she finished up her bowl of Ramen. Ken drank the rest of the broth, then laid out some money on the counter.

Kenaeda: " Well, this should cover our bill. Are you ready to go?"

Sakaki nodded again, pushing aside her now empty bowl and scooping Big Chief back into her arms. The pair stood up and thanked Kumi for the meal, then headed out, back towards the park area. Finally, they had come to the halfway point in between both of their homes. He turned to her and bowed, grateful for the company.

Kenaeda: " So, I'm sorry I ended up falling on you. Looks like I ate up a good deal of your time today, so I guess I should apologize again."

Sakaki: " No, it's alright. Here, you might want your cat…"

He took Big Chief into his arms, handing over her bike back in the process. The two stepped back and took a long moment of silence together. Unbeknownst to the other, they had wanted this day to keep on going, even if it was just a little longer. But reality had set in, and they both knew it was time to go. She bowed to him now, saying her goodbye.

Sakaki: " Please don't feel sorry about today. I had a lot of fun."

He smiled and returned the bow. Sakaki had something more to say, but she was too afraid to ask, and dearly hoped he might. And to her surprise and luck, he spoke those words.

Kenaeda: " Hey, if you don't mind Sakaki, I'd like to see you again. Of course, perhaps without me falling on you next time."

A sudden redness rushed over her face, as did a sweet and earnest smile, as she nodded.

Sakaki: " Yes…I would too."

His eyes seemed to light up, and in his head, the sound of angels singing and bells ringing could be heard. Quite the symphony really, but that was just how he felt.

Kenaeda: " Then, maybe we can get some dinner again. Like next Tuesday?"

Sakaki: " I have school late that night."

Kenaeda: " What about Wednesday?"

Sakaki: " That would be fine."

She nodded, confirming it in her head and setting an appointment in her internal date book. Kenaeda reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, digging out a piece of paper with a small note writing on one side that read off a small grocery list.

Kenaeda: " Do you have a pen? I can give you my number, just in case."

Sakaki: " Oh, yeah, I've got one in my purse."

She handed him a pen, and he wrote down both a phone number and an email. He gave back the pen and the paper, and she studied it for a moment, before putting it into her pocket.

Kenaeda: " Well, I gotta get going now. I'll see you Wednesday Sakaki. Call me anytime, I'm up at all hours!"

He waved to her before taking off down the street with Big Chief in his arms. She waved to him until he was out of view, then turned around and dug the number out of her pocket and stared at it for a moment. Her heart was beating so fast now, it felt like it could just burst. She had only felt like this one other time, which was when she first met Maya. Now she had a new friend in her life, and was starting to come to terms with the fact that she may indeed like him. She held the small note to her chest for a moment, then safely tucked it back into her pocket, before heading back home.