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A/N: Surprisingly I am in the "Yame-Chan" zone! (grins) okay so before I get started I must address the obvious fact in this story! 1). This is a romance/action/adventure story. 2). this story has mainly and IS mainly an OC story and 3). I appreciate everyone who reads and/or reviews and favorites this! Now that I'm done ranting let's get back where we left off!~

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: Strange as This Might Seem :

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---Holy Cross Academy 5:15 p.m.

YAWNING, Jouichi headed down the marble front steps of his academy and combing his fingers through his dark messy hair, he didn't stop to speak to anyone as he headed for his usual ride. A long, slick limo parked outside of the school gate and as the ninth grader drew nearer the sound of soft, quick footsteps reached his ear. Allowing his eyes to slide sideways, he caught sight of Izzie moving towards the limo as well. Her wavy amber hair blew out behind her and she pushed her oversized designer shades over her eyes and the handbag hanging off her arm didn't seem to bother her at all. Slowing down, Jouichi titled his head backwards and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Looking as lovely as ever," he pointed out and glancing at him through her dark sunglasses, Izzie nodded walking directly past the younger boy. "Have you talked to Mae-kohai?" She asked and Jouichi rolled his eyes as they arrived at the limo and the chauffeur held the door open for the girl but just before she slipped into the backseat both her and Jouichi watched as the school's doors opened once more and Kaito and Hikari stepped out. The two didn't speak but the obvious air of superiority leaked off them both as they headed down the steps and towards another parked limo. Not sparing Izzie and Jouichi a passing glance, they slipped in the back and the limo was leaving in no time. "Apparently we're not good enough," Jouichi mumbled and ignoring him, a deep frown settled on Izzie's face as she slipped into the limo and Jouichi followed.

The two sat far apart and with a deep sigh, Jouichi sunk deep into the comfy seat while Izzie stared out the tinted window, her elbow propped on her thigh. "Are we picking Maeda up?" She asked and looking away from his blond chara and at the older girl he nodded tightly. "Yup, knowing Maeda she's probably pissed that we're not there yet." He laughed and Izzie nodded as she crossed her legs and continued to stare out of the window. As Jouichi's laughter simmered there was a sudden tension in the air and raking a hand through his hair he sighed. "This is about Kaito isn't it?" He probed and through her dark glasses Izzie allowed her gaze to drift over to the younger boy before they easily fell back out the limo's window. "Does it matter?" She shot back and Jouichi knew that that was the amber haired beauty's way of ending the discussion. And with one last sigh, Jouichi pulled his handheld game out of his bag and busied himself with it.

Once the limo pulled up in front of Seiyo and idled in the parking lot, Izzie glanced around before looking over at Jouichi who was still occupied with his videogame. "Go find Maeda, Jouichi." She ordered and looking up, the dark haired boy stared at her curiously. "Eh?" He questioned allowing his gaze to land out of the window where there was no sight of the strawberry blond in the front of the school and sighing, Jouichi closed his game and tossed it onto the seat behind him. With a heavy sigh, the boy pushed the backdoor open and stepped out under the setting sky. "Why me?" He mumbled as he kicked the backdoor shut and as it did so Izzie sighed. Pushing her shades up onto her forehead, she reached for her bag and dug through it before producing a book of crossword puzzles and a pen. Sitting more comfortably in her seat, she flipped the book open to a puzzle she had been working on and in her curly print continued with it.

Footsteps light and quick, Jouichi hurried up the front steps making sure to squint at the different groups of girls for Maeda only to have the girls squeal and giggle in returne and with a charming smile and a nod of his head he continued on as the girls laughed and broke out into excited chatter. Pushing the glass doors to Seiyo High opened; Jouichi shoved his hands in his pockets and leisurely headed through the halls. His footsteps echoed off the empty halls as a yawn slipped out of his lips and he contemplated going to visit his father who he was sure was still sitting in his class marking papers. He had no idea why Izumi had sent him out to find the blonde but while he was here he might as well have a little fun right? Picking up his pace, Jouichi hurried up the steps and once on the second floor allowed his lazy eyes to wander around—peering into empty classes for any sign of Maeda. "Eiji," he called lazily and his blond haired chara who had resided to lying tiredly on top of the dark haired boy's head floated upwards and into his range of sight. "Maeda," was all he had to say before the chara nodded tightly and zoomed off down the hall.

With another sigh and a lot of time on his hands, Jouichi leaned back against a wall; hands still shoved in his pockets and bowed his head. He'd just stay here until his chara returned, after all he had used up all of his day's energy that day at school and playing childish games like this with Maeda Kiyoshi was never a part of his energy plan. Just as his eyes slid shut the sound of a door down the hall opening reached his ears before it clicked shut quietly and soft footsteps echoed through the hall. Not looking up, Jouichi continued minding his own business as the footsteps grew louder. Someone's coming and I'm not moving—well, this should be an interesting turn of events. A small smile tugged on his lips as he leaned back firmly and continued to stare down at his shoes.

…

Kimiko was both sleepy and hungry as she minded her own business. Her footsteps were slow and each one was perfectly calculated as she weighed a pound of papers in her arms and her messenger bag hung slightly uncomfortably off her arm. Biting her lip, Kimiko contemplated turning around and asking Kenshin for some help but that would be asking for too much. The King's Chair had been acting a bit moody ever since he had had his heart ripped out of his chest and stomped on by the former Queen's Chair: Tessa Hotori and at the moment the last thing any of the other Guardian members wanted to do was chart into a unfamiliar territory with the blond King. Releasing a sigh, Kimiko noted that she also could have taken up both Dai and Sora's invitations to helping her carry all of these papers to the main Admin Office before they had left only a few minutes before herself. "Aw, why do I always feel like it's such a burden on others to ask for help?" She mumbled as she continued walking and Hikari, who was resting on top of the pile, only shrugged and continued fiddling with strands of her own midnight black hair. "I have no idea Kimi-chan."

With another sigh, Kimiko continued walking and as she got closer to the staircase she spotted a strikingly handsome dark haired boy leaning against the wall. Brows furrowing in confusion, she took in the black uniform and instantly categorized him as one of those Holy Cross Preps. Ignoring any form of direct contact with the boy who—thankfully hadn't noticed her yet, she continued on her way. From just over his eyelids, Jouichi was able to make out the person the footsteps had belonged to. A thin, pale girl with long dark hair stepped by him and continued on her way towards the staircase and spotting the small chara seated on top of the pile of papers Jouichi smiled smugly. "Do you need some help?" He asked friendly catching Kimiko off guard who gasped and turned to look at him.

Swinging her bag back, she allowed her lavender eyes to land on the thin, tall frame of the gorgeous boy who moved towards her looking all sorts of friendly. "Ah…I'm good." She muttered her cheeks staining but Jouichi just smiled as he stepped forward and heart pounding crazily in her chest Kimiko took a step back forgetting she was standing in front of the staircase. "Kimi-chan!" Hikari shouted floating upwards as the girl's foot stumbled over the step and she gasped losing her grip on the papers as a hand shot out and fingers circled around her wrist. Time seemed to come to a standstill as papers floated all about but Kimiko stared at noticed nothing apart from a pair of lazy grey eyes directly in front of her. "Ano," she breathed as Jouichi grinned lazily and pulled her back into a proper standing position. Not glancing at him, Kimiko trained her gaze on the many papers that now littered the staircase and floor and her eyes saddened as she sighed.

"I'll help you gather your papers." Jouichi offered and glancing up quickly at him Kimiko frowned. "I don't know…it was your fault that I lost them in the first place." She stated heading down a few of the steps before leaning forward and collecting a few of the pages as Jouichi quirked a brow and his lips curled up into a sort of smile as he watched her. "Really now?" He probed and nodding, Kimiko didn't look back up at him as she continued gathering the papers. "If you hadn't distracted me I wouldn't have lost them," she replied and allowing his naked amusement to show, Jouichi nodded as he stepped down onto the steps and helped the dark haired ninth year gather her things. "If you say so," he muttered gathering a few with pale, nimble fingers and Kimiko remained silent as they both hurriedly gathered the papers not talking to one another at all.

Reaching for the last of the papers, two hands reached it at the same time and pale fingers brushed against one another. Blinking, Kimiko pulled her hand back quickly and stared down at her skirt while Jouichi grabbed hold of the paper and placed it on top of his pile before they both rose. "Thanks," Kimiko mumbled not looking up at the dark haired boy who nodded absentmindedly as he stared down the hall and realized that they were no longer on the staircase but in fact on the school's main floor. "Do you have to take these to the office or something?" He probed and Kimiko nodding pushing a few strands of hair out of her face and as Jouichi watched her he couldn't help but smirk. So she's the shy independent type huh? "If you want I could always help you—" He was cut off by the sudden buzzing in his pocket before a light whimsical ringtone floated through the fabric of his black uniform pants and both teens blinked.

"Ah," Jouichi mumbled drily as recognition dawned upon him and he stuffed a hand in his pocket and fished around before his fingers curled around his cell phone and he pulled it open. "Just a minute," he said to Kimiko who nodded slowly as the boy flipped the mobile open and pressed it to his ear. "Ya?" He called lazily and Kimiko stepped back adjusting her bag on her back and she couldn't help but feel a little awkward watching some strange boy from the snooty school on the hill chat on a cell phone that looked more expensive than her mother's car.

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"Where the hell are you?" Came Mae's voice over the other end of the phone and Jouichi sighed.

"I'm at your school where the hell are you?" He shot back in a slightly muffled tone that caused Mae to quirk a brow.

"I'm outside in the limo with Izzie-chan. Why do you sound like that?"

"Really? I'll be out shortly." He said totally avoiding the blonde's last question and with a sigh, Mae ran a hand through her hair and leaned back beside Izzie.

"Sure whatever."

As the line cut, Jouichi flipped his phone shut and turned to look at Kimiko with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Do you still want me to help you?" He asked and Kimiko stared up at him with large lavender eyes before she frowned. "I never even asked for your help," she mumbled and Jouichi chuckled. "You don't like others helping you do you?" He probed and Kimiko's cheeks tainted pink before she bit her lip and reached out for his pile combining it with her own. "Sounds like you're ticking someone off hanging around a school that's not even yours." She pointed out and Jouichi laughed. "Are you always this hospitable to visitors? You haven't even told me your name." He jeered and Kimiko's frown deepened as she raised her chin higher and took a step backwards. "Well, you haven't said yours either so we're even." She shot back and with a broad grin, Jouichi held out his hand. "Jouichi Tanaka." He introduced and Kimiko stared at his pale outstretched hand for a moment.

"Tanaka? Like Tanaka-san?"

The minute the question had left her lips and Jouichi had laughed at it she had felt stupid. Scowling, she stared down at her black shoes while Hikari lingered a few inches above her right ear. "Well, if all you're going to do is insult me then good bye." She hissed turning sharply on her heels just as Jouichi stopped laughing and lurched forward catching her upper right arm. "Don't…I'm sorry and yes like Tanaka-san. I would really like to know what your name is." He said kindly and Kimiko just stared straight down the empty hall before Jouichi's phone buzzed then rung off again. "You should really get that," Kimiko said softly but the boy only shook his head. "Not until you tell me your name," he said lightly and with an exasperated sigh, Kimiko broke free and headed down the hall with light footsteps leaving Jouichi to blink after her, his phone still ringing off. He watched until she got to the Admin. Office at the end of the hall and pulling on the brass handle, she glanced back in his direction with a soft smile. "It's Kimiko Haruka." She replied before she slipped into the office.

As the door swung shut, Jouichi smirked as Eiji landed on top of his head. "She has a chara Jouichi," the chara stated tiredly and the dark haired boy nodded. "I know," he muttered before he turned on his heels, stuffed his hands into his pockets and headed out of the school building and back to the limo where Izzie and Mae were waiting. Kimiko Haruka, you're a very interesting person.

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The car ride had been sort of awkward for Yame. Sitting in the backseat with Hinta who was staring blankly out of the back window and Novi who hadn't stopped talking yet was more than the redhead could handle. Shifting slightly, Yame also resorted to staring out of the window, her head propped in her hand. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize when Novi had eased her way into her suburban neighborhood and was only jostled out of her thoughts when she heard the older woman ask a question. "Eh?" She blinked, pulling away from the window and leaning forward stared at Novi through the rearview mirror. "I asked which one of these is your house, dear?" She repeated herself and blinking, Yame glanced around at the perfectly identical houses before pointing forward. "It's up on the left," she replied before propping her elbows up on her thighs while Hinta stared at her before grinning.

"I still don't get how you do it…all the houses look exactly the same!" He pointed out and shrugging, Yame couldn't hide nor stop the pounding of her heart in her chest. "I've lived around here so long that I sorta just know." She mumbled as the car came to a stop outside of her house and opening the door, she hurried out taking her things from a helpful Hinta with a pretty blush on her face. "Thank you," she called before offering a bright signature Yame grin and hurried towards the house. Kicking the gate open and partly listening as it swung shut, she was on the porch when Novi honked the horn and drove away.

The front door to the Souma residence was if not always unlocked and pressing down on the brass handle; Yame pushed on the door and allowed it to fall open. The house was warm and cozy and smelt of pasta as the redhead slipped inside and closed the door behind her. "I'm home!" She announced, slipping out of her school shoes and slipped into her purple house slippers. "Hey," Yaya's voice floated out of the kitchen almost drowned out by the sound of the living room's television set and with a smile, Yame moved towards the living room. Standing in the doorway, she spotted her dad asleep on the couch, a throw cushion covering his face and her eyes drifted off of him and landed on the television screen where some stupid kid's cartoon was currently playing. "I'll never understand how he can sleep with the volume so loud," she muttered lacing her fingers together behind her back and heading for the kitchen.

Yaya was seated at the breakfast nook, currently scribbling a grocery list down as Yame slipped into the booth on the opposite side. Looking up, Yaya glanced at her eldest daughter before quirking a brow as she watched the fourteen year old prop her elbow on the table and rest her cheek against it before releasing a sigh. "What's wrong?" She asked and Yame allowed her arms to slide downwards as she rested her head in them. "Nothing," she mumbled and Yaya nodded absentmindedly, slipping out of the booth and heading back over to the steaming pot on the stove. The sound of a door upstairs opening then slamming shut reached their ears before light, quick footsteps could be heard pounding on the landing overhead before two small figures soon emerged from the kitchen staircase. "Hiya Yame-chan!" Eli called and looking sideways, Yame stared at her younger sister.

The seven year old was dressed as a cowgirl for the day. Everyday was something new. The third grader's closet was full of different cosplays and everyday afterschool the brunette would put one on and become someone else for the day. "Can I stir mama?" She probed her jade eyes wide and Yaya nodded. "Sure, come here." Grinning, Eli ran around the countertops and pulling the stepping stool out from a bottom cupboard, she placed it in front of the stove and got on top of it, before Yaya handed her the large mixing spoon. "A cowgirl's gotta know how to stir Mama!" She exclaimed giggling bubbly while Yame stared blankly at her before something crawled up beside her and wrapped its chubby little arms around her body.

Looking sideways, Yame stared at her little brother who grinned broadly at her. "Hi Iori-chan," she greeted ruffling his auburn hair and the small boy grinned boyishly as he wrapped his short arms tightly around Yame's upper torso and pressed the side of his face into her stomach. "Yame-chan," he called perfectly pronouncing every syllable of the redhead's name and just as Yame pressed her forehead against her brother's her mobile buzzed before an energetic, bubbly ringtone filled the air and blinking, Yame stared at her bag resting on the table before she opened the flap and digging through the bag produced her mobile. Staring at the caller ID for approximately five seconds, Yame blinked before grinning. "Kimi-chan…scoot Iori-chan!" She exclaimed not waiting for the boy to move asshe placed one arm around him and slipped out.

Holding Iori around the waist, Yame put him down once out of the booth and bolted for the kitchen staircase. Once halfway up it, she flipped her phone open, pressed the talk button and pressed it against her ear, as she got closer to her bedroom.

"Kimi-chan!" She called with more life than she had displayed all day.

"Hi Yame-chan, it's good to see that you're better." Kimiko laughed and grinning, Yame pushed her bedroom door opened and stepped inside Tokono and Ai following closely behind before she kicked the door shut and plopped down into her desk chair.

"Hai," she sighed and silence washed over both girls for awhile, in which Yame listened to the steady humming of the house's air conditioning, before she allowed her eyes to slide shut and she melted into the chair.

"Ano, Kimi-chi?" She called in a soft voice.

"Hmm?"

"I caught a ride home with Hinta-kun," she mumbled and Kimiko was silent for a moment.

"Oh…how was it?"

With that Yame's eyes flew open and she pushed her hands against her desk, causing the chair to balance on its hind legs. "Terrible…absolutely horrible!" She exclaimed into the phone.

"Oh? And why was it absolutely horrible?" Kimiko shot back and pouting, Yame stared up at her shelf of stuffed memorabilia and her shoulders slumped forward.

"Nothing happened that's why—it was as if I didn't reject his offer to be his girlfriend…it was like the weekend never even happened." She stated and on the other end Kimiko quirked a brow.

"That's good isn't it? He's in a state of denial—that'll make making up easier for the both of you." She pointed out and a look of pure annoyance crossed Yame's face as she pushed back further on her chair.

"You're missing the point here Kimi-chi!" She whined and Kimiko laughed lightly as she rearranged her homework.

"And what's the point Yame-chan?" She asked lightly and Yame produced a high pitched whiny sound.

"It's nothing—forget it." She mumbled and Kimiko sighed.

The two sat in silence on different ends. Yame was preoccupied staring up at a few choice stuffed toys while Kimiko chewed on her lower lip wondering if she should share her day's worth of experiences with her best friend before she came to a decision. With a soft sigh, Kimiko leaned forward, her lavender eyes boring into the black screen of her turned off computer.

"Ano Yame-chan," she called softly.

"Yah Kimi-chi?" Yame called reluctantly and Kimiko bit her lip.

"Something happened to me today." She started slowly and Yame nodded her gaze snapping off the stuffed toys and landed on her pale yellow walls.

"Yea, did you get hurt or something?" Kimiko could hear the sudden rise of panic in her best friend's voice and shaking her head frantically, she leaned forward propping her elbows up on her desk.

"No—there was this boy…I met a boy today." She inserted quickly and Yame blinked.

"Eh? A boy Kimi-chi…who is it?" She probed and Kimiko shrugged nonchalantly.

"You don't know him." The sound of Yame laughing filled her ears before the sound of something falling followed by a loud oof from the other end made Kimiko panic.

"Yame-chan, are you alright?" She cried before the sound of a muffled groan as Yame groped about for her mobile from where the chair had toppled backwards; disposing her on the floor.

"I'm alright…whoa Kimi-chi's got a foreign boyfriend!" She jeered and Kimiko frowned.

"He's not foreign! He's from Holy Cross and he's not my boyfriend!" She yelled and Yame grinned evilly as she nodded.

"Ah ha, Kimi-chi has a rich foreign boyfriend!" She sung and Kimiko frowned.

"I'm hanging up." She warned and when the redhead didn't stop the jeering and laughter, Kimiko sighed before hanging up and tossed her phone back on her bed.

"Baka," she mumbled to herself before burying her head in her hands.

---

Once the other line went dead, Yame didn't seem to notice at first as she continued laughing. "Yame-chan?" Ai called worriedly and hiccupping, Yame stopped laughing and listened to the dead end. "Aw, she hung up on me." She pouted snapping her phone shut and placed it on her desk. With a soft sigh, the redhead picked herself up off the floor, pulling the fallen wooden desk chair along with her as she did so. Once on her feet, the redhead stared at her mobile for a moment as her shoulders slumped forward. "Maybe I shouldn't have teased Kimi-chi…she didn't seem too happy about it." She mumbled to herself and Tokono and Ai blinked simultaneously as her bedroom door creaked open and Eli tumbled inside. Looking up, Yame blinked as she stared at her younger sister before frowning. "Eli?"

At the sound of her name, the petite brunette stumbled to her feet as she stared at her older sister with identical eyes before grinning broadly. "Why's Kimi-chi mad at you?" She probed catching Yame off-guard and the redhead blinked. "Eh? Hey were you listening to my conversation?!" She shouted and grinning toothily, Eli latched her hands behind her back and took a few staggering footsteps back into the doorway. "Mama wants you!" She sang and Yame just stared at her little sister who grinned broadly and disappeared out of the doorway humming lightly to herself. "Yame!" Yaya shouted and with another sigh, Yame headed out of her bedroom mumbling an "I'm coming," as she hurried out of her bedroom and down into the kitchen.

Iori was sucking his thumb and tugging on Yaya's pant leg when the fourteen year old reemerged in the kitchen and hopping onto one of the breakfast bar stool's Yame stared at her mother. "Yes?" She asked sweetly and looking up, Yaya stared at the girl before blowing her ginger coloured bangs out of her face. "I just remembered that Eli's having a science fair at school tomorrow and that I've got to go the grocery store as well, so do you think you could maybe pick Iori-kun up from daycare on your way home?" She probed and Yame allowed her eyes to wander over the small frame of her baby brother, she anted to know why her father couldn't do it but remembered that he was usually busy during the week and with a sigh, she nodded slowly. "I guess I could," she started slowly and Yaya grinned. "Thank you so much." She said and Yame nodded slowly. "Sure thing."

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Oh God, this chapter was a killer…I actually LOVED the way it started out but it kinda went downhill in my opinion the closer we got the ending. –shrugs- oh well…thanks for reading and I hope this chapter wasn't a real letdown to all of my readers as it was to me—the freaking writer! On to the next one ne? The next chapter will be more interesting I promise!