I don't care if it was only one review I received; it still got me pumped! Thank you Hana Ryuuzaki! Thank you so much for the review! Now, hope you like this chapter!
Darkness. That was all Moeko could see. She felt this huge headache, though. It felt as if someone was drilling into her head. Slowly her hand went to hold her aching head, even tough that did nothing to cure it, it still comforted Moeko for some reason. As her hands landed softly on her head she heard murmuring. Forcing her eyes open Moeko's blue orbs met a white ceiling.
"Ah, you're awake!" A voice said it appeared to be a woman's voice. Turning carefully towards the voice, as to not worsen her headache, she met the sight of a beautiful, orange haired, woman in a white female suit. Once she saw Moeko was fine and had awakened the woman hugged the girl tightly, forcing her face to rest on her breasts.
Gasping sharply at the sudden movement, Moeko's aching head worsened. Pulling herself out of the woman's embrace Moeko's hands immediately shot up towards her head, grasping it tightly. Closing her eyes she added pressure to her head, hoping that it would alleviate the pain. Moeko felt something grab her hands, loosening the grasp on her head the woman removed her hands from her head gently yet firmly. Opening Moeko's mouth she dropped a pill in it.
"Now, swallow it, it'll ease the pain." The woman said in a gently, soft, and motherly tone. Her voice relaxed Moeko greatly, it reminded her slightly of her mother's sweet voice. Her eyes widened slightly as she recalled the past events before the darkness had taken her over.
"Was it all…A dream?" Hope emitted from that statement, hope that all of that being just her minds works. That her mother actually didn't have to travel and leave her in a boarding school. That all those things about demons and ghosts being real were just some freaky dream…
"I'm sorry Moeko-chan, but it's not a dream. You're still in Seireitei Academy. I'm Matsumoto Rangiku, the school nurse." The nurse said with a apologetic look on her features. Noting the confused look on Moeko's face Rangiku started explaining.
"Well you see, Hun, after fainting while going to 2nd period Hinamori-chan called Ganju, the janitor, to carry you here. After you were carried here, Hinamori-chan stayed by your side until I told her to get to class. While she was here she explained your situation to me, or at least what she knew about it. Do you mind explaining?" The gentle look from Rangiku's face never faded as she sat there patiently waiting for Moeko to fully understand what was going on.
Moeko was shocked, sure she already knew most of these things but she still couldn't believe it! She refused to do so! All her life she had stuck with the theory that myths and fantasy stories were just for fun, not something realistic! After what seemed like hours of thinking Moeko finally was able to speak.
" I knew it. The moment I had that bad feeling I should have just told my mom and left with her…" Grasping Moeko's shoulders gently Rangiku looked at the girl in the eyes. Her eyes, the seemed so motherly…So wise. They reminded her of her mom, who right now was probably in an airplane to some distant country.
"Well if your mother wasn't traveling for work now, I would've suggested she come here and withdraw you from the school…Unfortunately that's not the case. Moeko-chan, I'm sorry to say that you can't leave the school, meaning you have to stay here and attend school here as a student until your mother returns." Moeko could feel her mouth open slightly, once her mom came back?
"But-but! My mom isn't coming back until a year after I graduate from this school!" Moeko's blue orbs widened, that-that meant…
"Hmm, guess if that's the case you'll have to stay here until you graduate!" Rangiku chirped merrily, a small smile lighting her features. Meoko's mouth opened once again, her blue eyes wide. She-she had to think of an excuse, and quick!
"Wait! Don't exorcist use magic and stuff? I can't do any of that! Also how am I supposed to get a good job after I graduate if all I study now is ghosts and demons!" That was the plan, find an excuse that would get her kicked out of the school. Maybe, just maybe, if the teachers saw that she wasn't exorcist material they would let her go! A small smile tugged at her lips, she could kiss this place goodbye! After leaving this school she'd find a normal school by herself and then study hard and get into a good college! Yes, her plan was brilliant!
"Hmm, guess I could talk to Yamamoto-Genryūsai-san, I'm sure he can think of something! Please! We exorcist also study what regular humans study! How else would we keep our existence a secret?" Rangiku's smile lost its brightness as she answered the 2nd question. She felt insulted in a way, even though she knew Moeko knew nothing about them.
"Huh? What about those exorcists you see on TV?" Moeko was persistent, she refused to learn the ways of the exorcists, she just wanted a normal life!
"Eh? You actually believe in those big phonies? We exorcists keep our identity a secret from regular humans; those who you see on TV are fakes. They try to win money by pretending to be exorcists; they got the idea from stories of the past when exorcists and normal humans coexisted." Moeko clenched her fists slightly; did this woman have the answer to everything?
Suddenly the bell ran, as the bell stopped Rangiku looked at Moeko with a big grin on her face. Staring at the nurse confused the younger girl just watched as the older woman tackled her. Gasping in surprise the younger girl felt herself being lifted and carried bride-style out of the room. "Hey, now that school's over let's go make the arrangements with Yamamoto-Genryūsai-san!" Without allowing the girl in her arms to protest the nurse ran through the halls, heading directly into a white hallway with only one door.
Settling Moeko back on the floor, Rangiku grasped the younger girl's hand quickly, not allowing her to escape. Yelping Moeko stared at the hand grasping hers, she was trapped, wasn't she? Trying to release herself from the orange-haired woman's grip Moeko grumbled as her attempts resulted fruitless. As the door opened her hopes were pummeled she was stuck. Now she would have to spend the next four years of her life studying about ghosts, demons, things she never even believed existed!
"Yamamoto-Genryūsai-san! Seems like our new student is normal! Since I'm sure you know of her predicament, you must know what to do already? Is there a way she can attend this school without being able to use magic?" The man behind the door was old; his face severely wrinkled proving that he was indeed very old. His long graybeard tied by some sort of blue ribbon, however not shortening the length of the facial hair enough for it not to touch the ground. The man known as principal Yamamoto-Genryūsai had his hand enveloped over his chin, in a thinking position.
" It is possible, but I'll have to warn the teachers. Also she will have to try to adjust to classes without using magic, and try her best. Either way we cannot kick her out, technically we are the one's in charge of her right now, we'd be in big trouble. We could even be sued! So, Yuurito Moeko, you are to stay here and attend as the original plan with your mother. Now Matsumoto, please take her to the day freshman dorm. Also please do give her the correct uniform." With that said the door closed on its own.
…So that was it? She was a student here until she graduated or until her mother returned and removed her from the school. Feeling an arm around her waist Moeko prepared herself. Rangiku ran through the halls once again, but at least this time Moeko wasn't surprised.
Once she felt herself stop-moving Moeko opened her eyes, she hadn't even realized she'd closed them. Looking around the area Moeko saw a five-story plain white building. From what Moeko had heard from the principal this was probably the 'Day Freshman Dorm' he mentioned.
"I thought it would be better to show you this building slowly." Rangiku said smiling while opening the double doors to the building. While leading Moeko through the building the nurse explained some small details about it, such as where it lead. After thirty minutes or so Rangiku finally stopped in front of a door.
"This is your room, I'm sure you heard Kuukaku say you had a roommate." Nodding Moeko followed the orange-haired lady inside the room, where they met the bunned brunette once more. Smiling slightly the brunette name Hinamori walked up to Moeko, once near enough grasped her hand.
"I'm so happy that you got better! What happened?" While the nurse explained the situation to Moeko's new roommate, the new student searched for her baggage. Locating it under the second bed, which she assumed, was hers, she opened the bag, pulling out a small plastic bag she said.
"Matsumoto-san! No need to give me a uniform, seems like somebody already stuffed a few in here." The uniform was simple a white shirt, along with a white jacket that had dark gray rimming, accompanied by a dark gray mini-skirt. Moeko noticed that on the school jacket there was a pocket with an image of a silver cross on it. Frowning slightly Moeko stuffed her uniform back where it belonged. So, now she was a student here, huh? Somehow that thought scared her a bit. Why? She didn't know.
"So Yuurito-san, you're a normal human?" Nodding at the question Moeko shifted her attention to the brunette girl. "Seems like I'll have to help you study, you have a lot to learn. Don't worry, it's all pretty easy" Throwing a comforting smile at Moeko, Hinamori approached the girl a book in her hands. Meoko stared at the book in her roommate's hands; here came the part she hated the most, studying.
"I don't get it!" Moeko shouted in frustration, banging her open book on her head. Hinamori looked at the black-haired girl with a smile she was trying hard. Stealing the book from Moeko's hands before she could hit herself again, Hinamori explained once more.
"You see Yuurito-san, all demons are ghosts but not all ghosts are demons. Even though ghosts and demons look practically the same there are a few differences that separate those ghosts who aren't demons from demons. An example of that difference is that a demon emits a dark aura, something experienced exorcists are able to tell in a flash. Knowing what type of demon or ghost it is very important. As it helps us know which technique to use against it to purify it properly. Do you understand now?" Patiently waiting Hinamori continued to smile, remembering when she was learning the basics. She knew how confusing it was at first.
Trying to keep the information she had received from being forgotten Moeko wrote it down on paper, that had always helped her remember things. While re-reading the notes, Moeko found that with passing time it had become easier, maybe learning all this wouldn't be hard. "Hey Hinamori-san, how much more do I have to know?"
"Uh…" Pointing to a pile of books at the corner of the room Hinamori smiled apologetically. Falling to the ground Moeko stared at the pile of books. So, she still had a lot more work to study…
Glancing at the clock the brunette gasped. Eight o'clock. "Sorry Yuurito-san! It's time for me to start making dinner, how about you take a bath and unpack your things while that?" Running towards the small kitchen of their small dorm room, Hinamori placed an apron on herself, tying it quickly.
While Hinamori was preparing dinner the black-haired girl sped towards the bathroom, taking along with her a pair of baggy green pants along with a baggy white shirt. Stripping of her clothes Moeko jumped into the shower, turning the knob and relaxing as the warm liquid spilled onto her skin. After a few minutes she left the shower, sliding on her pajamas. As Moeko opened the door a sweet aroma filled her senses. Drawn by the scent Moeko walked towards the kitchen.
"Ah, you finished Yuurito-san! Dinner's ready!" Happily setting down the plates filled with food Hinamori sat on one of the chairs. Settling herself down on the second chair the table contained, Moeko grabbed her chopsticks. Happily eating the food Moeko often stopped in between bites to compliment the brunette; she was a good cook!
During the meal the two girls chatted about school and how the studies were going. Moeko still had a lot to study much to her dislike. After finishing the meal Moeko insisted on helping Hinamori with the dishes, after all it was the least she could do for all the help she had received.
"Good night Yuurito-san! I'll wake you up at 6 o'clock, okay? So we'll be ready to leave for school at 7!" Nestling herself inside her covers Hinamori turned off the lights. Moeko followed Hinamori's actions. Falling into a dreamless slumber Moeko couldn't help but wonder how school would turn out tomorrow.