A/N: I know that just about everyone wants to punch me in the arm and/or face and pelt me with small stones for that sad excuse of a chapter you were FORCED to read back at the end of January. All I can say is that I'm sorry for it and I hope that this chapter is a little more enjoyable. Anyway, here's the newest chapter of this story. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own this story plot and the OCs but that's about it.

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The Rain brings Trouble

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RAIN pelted down on the small town of Seiyo Monday morning, and students attempted to get into the school building without getting drenched, that proving to be impossible. Mae stood in front of the black limo, a large aquamarine umbrella suspended over her head and a bright red trench coat covering her uniform as she stared drily at Izzie's flawless face inside the limo. "Have a good day, Maeda-kohai," she stated softly and Mae nodded, her eyes drifting off of Izzie and locked on the face of the boy seated beside the upperclassman. "No getting into trouble either, understood Maeda-chan?" Izumi stated and Mae nodded curtly, her grip on the umbrella tightening.

"Good, then we understand one another." This snapped Maeda out of her own little world and blinking, she watched as Izumi began to roll up the window before she extended one hand out, fingers curled slightly. "Jouichi," she called quickly but the boy didn't respond and she was simply met with a strange look from Izzie who sighed and inclined her head forward slightly. No more words were exchanged and rolling the window up, the limo rolled out of the driveway, leaving Maeda to stare after it, her arm still raised and the rain falling around her; making for a very interesting picture of the actress. Releasing a shaky breath, Mae bit her lip before she turned and solemnly headed into the school building. She needed to burn something, fast.

Kenshin patrolled the corridors, his lilac eyes searching for anything just a little off. Nodding a polite greeting at anyone he passed, Kenshin continued making sure that the younger kids made it to class on time, all the while keeping an eye out for Maiya. Completely wrapped in his thoughts, the blond didn't seem to notice the completely peeved Maeda storming down the hall, her lips turned downwards into a frown and her large sapphire eyes glassy and distant.

Bodies slamming into one another, both blonds seemed to return to the here and now. The force of the collision nearly knocked the wind out of Mae and forced her to topple backwards, only for a hand to circle around her upper arm. Looking up, Mae's sapphire eyes locked with Kenshin's lilac ones. "Um," she mumbled as Kenshin pulled her upright, a look of concern flashing across his face. "I'm sorry; I should have been paying attention. Are you alright?" He probed as he released her arm and blinking, Mae rubbed at her arm subconsciously. "It's okay, I'm fine." She mumbled and Kenshin nodded, his eyes flickering upwards and stopping at the sight of the small blonde chara floating above the girl's shoulder.

He just stared, his lips parted and his eyes glued onto the small chara that didn't seem to notice him, or if it did it didn't seem to care. Continuing to rub her arm, Mae met Kenshin's gaze and offered a small smile. "I'd better get going," she murmured and blinking, Kenshin nodded. "R-Right, once again, I'm sorry." He repeated and with one more smile, Mae twirled around and headed off down the hall. "Kenshin," the blond's chara; Takashi called and nodding in acknowledgment, the chara continued talking.

"She has a chara."

"I know, I saw it."

"I don't like it, Kenshin. All I'm picking up is some dark aura from it."

"Hey, Kenshin!" The sound of a very familiar female's voice called and turning to the voice, Kenshin stared at his cousin, Maiya who was accompanied by Kumiko. Brows furrowed, Maiya glanced around him, trying to find what he had been staring so blankly at a few seconds ago. "What are you doing?" She probed and blinking, Kenshin shrugged as he pulled his bag down his arm and lifting the flap began rummaging about in it. "Patrolling the halls, hello there Taiki-san," he stated formally and cheeks tinting a slight crimson, Kumiko nodded timidly. "Good morning, Hatomi-san," she greeted back and Kenshin looked up, and offered a small smile before he continued rummaging through his book bag.

Maiya stood there, one brow quirked the other furrowed and lips parted as her gaze drifted between Kumiko and Kenshin before she grinned stupidly. "What are you looking for, huh?" She asked and shrugging, Kenshin produced a manila folder and held it out towards the purple haired girl. "This is for you; I need for you to read this over tonight, got it." He stated meeting her eyes and sighing, Maiya took the folder and grumbled an "I got it." While Kumiko just watched them both curiously, her heart pounding inside of her chest irregularly. She could feel her chest tightening, as if something bad had just happened and biting her lip; she glanced over at Maiya a pained look etched onto her features. "I'll be right back," she murmured and before Maiya could respond she was gone.

…

Moving quickly, Kumiko wasn't thinking as she climbed staircase after staircase, her mind a blur and her footsteps quick and light. Sliding her hand along the handrail, she could barely think the only thing running through her head was herself shouting at her to slow down! It was obvious, so sickeningly, nearly impossible not to see it obvious that Maiya and Kenshin were more than just "friends". Kumiko had no idea why she hadn't noticed it before and the tingling in her eyes served as a constant reminder of why she had never dwelled on the thought.

Unsure of her destination, Kumiko just continued taking the steps up, away from the buzz of the school and into one of the secluded regions of the school. And seated there, at the top of a flight of staircase, arms rested on her kneecaps and eyes in nothing more than slits was Maeda. She listened as the footsteps grew closer and once the suspect was within sight, a broad maniacal grin spread across her face. "Well, if it isn't the little spy." She called out clearly and snapping back to reality, Kumiko came to a complete stop and her eyes landed on the thin blonde who sat resembling a still doll at the top of the steps. "W-What?" Kumiko croaked as she watched Mae get to her feet and it was then that Kumiko noticed the scowling blond chara floating just a few inches above the blonde girl's right shoulder.

"Actually, I'm in a very bad mood...in fact, a mood so bad that I might just burn something today." Maeda explained as she disinterestedly brushed her bangs from her face. Large, emotionless sapphire eyes bore into Kumiko with so much hatred that the older girl found herself shuddering involuntarily. "What does this have to do with me?" She croaked and Mae frowned, as she began to descend the staircase, only stopping when she was two steps above Kumiko, making herself appear taller. Leaning forward, hands on her waist, Mae allowed her lips to linger over Kumiko's right ear. "Don't act like you're so innocent. You're just like me…that chara you're hiding is pathetic and guess what? I dare you to go back to those Guardians your working for and let them know what's going to happen." She whispered and Kumiko's eyes shook dangerously as she stood there frozen, eyes wide.

"I don't know what you're—"

"Save it, I saw you in the bathroom last week. I know that you heard my conversation."

Mae's tone was sober and Kumiko bit her lip. "I don't understand what you're talking about!" Kumiko pressed and frown deepening, Mae pulled back and just as she stood up tall, her right hand collided with Kumiko's left cheek. It all happened so fast, Mae's movements, the time it took to blink and the feel of her stinging cheek. Her eyes were wide, and raising a trembling hand to her face, Kumiko tenderly touched the raw spot. "I despise weaklings but…I'm willing to overlook that if—" the fact alone that the thin blonde had left her sentence at that caught Kumiko's attention; and raising her head, she met Mae's gaze.

The younger girl's face was completely emotionless and running a hand through her silky hair, she allowed her arms to fall limply at her sides. "I'll overlook the fact that you know my little secret if…you join me and become my accomplice." She finished and Kumiko's mind was in a fuddle. What the hell was happening here? Why had she come this way? What was this ninth grader asking of her? Being an accomplice sounded easy enough, she'd more than likely remain in the dark but…that conversation she had overheard the week before didn't seem like it was just small talk. This girl, this little blonde girl standing in front of her was dangerous. Kumiko was more than sure of that but she had no other choice, either accept or risk getting hurt.

"Okay, I accept."

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A/N: There you go! I know it sorta ended in a cliffy-ish sorta way but I'm building suspense but it's a brand new chapter all spick and span and prettiful! I hope that satisfies your Yame Chan craving until I post again Ahem, that specifically means YOU Najah-chan. LoL I hope that you enjoyed this one because rock throwing just will not work this time U__U. I'm out until sometime next week I guess. God willing.

Updated: February 11, 2010