Yo people! It's been a long while since I uploaded a chapter. Well, I've been busy with stuff and not having internet at home is just crappy. Oh well, when I checked back here though, I was amazed to find I had 282 hits!!! That's really fantastic! Thanks all for reading and thanks for the 2 reviews. Will keep it in mind! Arigato! Kurogane and Fye appears finally appears! As well as Yuko and Watauki. Read on!
Well, here's the next chapter! Hope you guys like it. Again, please review!! Would appreciate it very much!!! Thanks so much!
Disclaimer: I own none of those fantastic people created by Clamp and Yuu Watase...what I do own is my own group of wacky, grumpy and silly kids. XD
Chapter II
Rain was pouring down heavily in Aien. Raindrops pelted the pavement, wetting long swishing cloaks, lacy or plain skirts, and even dirty pants. There was hardly anyone in the streets of Aien; everyone was at home, getting warm and toasty. However, there was one person out in the streets, riding on his magnificent steed. His face was concealed by the hood of his long cloak. An old woman in her house peeked through the brown, tattered curtains out of her rusty window, wondering and marvelling at the beauty of this stranger's cloak. It was a thick white cloak with blue markings swivelled together into a pattern on it. The edges of the cloak were rimmed with fur as white as snow. It was not a simple cloak. A long golden staff was strapped to the side of the horse. The staff had amethyst stones at the tip and at the top. The top of it was in the shape of a crescent, in its middle, there was a stone, an amethyst stone. It was an intricate shape. Each corner, each end had a small round purple stone. The rider then took out a golden timepiece. "It's time, my friend. Best make haste now," said the rider to his horse.
He turned to the window where the old woman was peeking through. He gave her a friendly wave and galloped off. He could have been smiling but for the face to be hooded, it was hard to tell. Nevertheless, the old woman was sure of it. "The mage from that school is such a nice boy," said the old woman, lifting a smile. She turned to her daughter. "Don't you think so, Helde?" she asked.
Her daughter smiled. "Yes, Mother. The new term is starting up at that school. I suppose that's the only reason why he'd be out in this weather."
"Are you going back up again this time?"
"Of course, it gives a proper pay and work is enjoyable and comfortable."
"Helde?"
"Mother."
"Can I go up with you?" asked the old woman timidly.
Helde sighed. Her mother had asked this question many times. The last time she brought her mother along with her to work at the school, her mother got lost in the place and created much havoc. The headmistress was forgiving but she had warned her not to repeat her mistake. "No, mother."
"Why not?" the old woman asked sulkily.
"Because. You cannot control yourself when you go up there. Here, I've made some new curtains. Perhaps, these will be to your liking." said Helde. She changed the subject hastily in hopes that her mother would stop asking her the same question every time the new term starts.
"I don't like them." said the woman hurriedly and she looked back out of the window.
Helde was hurt. She had sewn them painstakingly day and night. She pulled out the beautifully sewn curtains from the bottom drawer and held them in the light. It was made with white lace cloth and embodied with small flowers and leaves weaving up from the bottom. It was the embroidery that took her the longest to finish. They were the third she had sewn. "You haven't even seen them," she said.
The old woman glanced at it and returned her eyes back to looking out of the window. "Okay, so it's pretty. Hang it in my room."
Helde smiled. So, her efforts weren't fruitless. She sped off to her mother's room, whistling.
The rain was beginning to thin but the sky was still just as black. There were many people gathered at the Aien Port. Mostly younglings, all shivering under their wet cloaks and drenched coats. Some even took shelter under some nearby trees. Two twin young men with blond hair and a girl were inside a fisherman's house near the port. He had invited them into his warm house in appreciation for their help. They had helped him packed his fish when the rain had started pouring heavily. He had a lot of catch that day, crabs, prawns, fishes and even squids. They were all slippery and hard to pack. Without the three younglings' help, he wouldn't have been able to close his "store". "Here, drink up your hot cocoa. It's freezing out there," said the fisherman's wife.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you if I see the school's escort. I wonder who it'd be this year. Last year, it was the ninja. He sure was grumpy," chuckled the old fisherman.
The three people nodded and smiled. They drank their cocoa out of respect. It'd be rude to decline the drink. It was rather chilly anyway.
"Are you sure you want to join the army, Suboshi?" asked the black haired girl.
"Yeah. I gave it some thought. It'd be boring without you two at the island and I've got nothing better to do anyway," answered one of the two young men.
"Suboshi, you have to take care of yourself during your training. If there's anything, you know how to call me," said the other twin.
"I will, Ami. You have to take care of yourself and Ally at the school. You have always been the gentle type. Joining the army would never suit you anyway," said Suboshi with a smile. "Though I think Alexis would be harder to take care of."
"Hey! Well, you're even harder. You always forget to eat," argued the girl called Alexis.
"I think you two are just as hard to take care of. I'm the easiest. In fact, I'm more independent," said Amiboshi proudly.
Alexis leant closer to Suboshi and whispered," Okay, on the count of three, we'll clobber him."
Suboshi look puzzled. "You want us to clobber the fisherman?"
Alexis gave him a light smack on the shoulder. "No, your brother."
Suboshi looked at his puzzled brother and gave him a mischievous look. "Agreed. One."
"Why must you start the counting?"
"Alright, alright, you start."
"One."
Amiboshi look troubled. He gave a weak laugh. "Guys, guys, no need for violence." He gave his brother a stern look and said, "Suboshi, how can you treat your elder brother like this? Where's your respect, man?"
His words were ignored completely by his brother and friend. They smirked at his troubled face. "Two," said Suboshi.
"THREE!" said Alexis as she and Suboshi moved menacingly towards Amiboshi.
However, they were interrupted by loud clopping noises and the whinny of a horse. They stopped. The fisherman laughed at his three young guests and looked out of his window. The rain was stopping and the sun was beginning to reveal itself from its hiding place in the clouds.
"Children, I believe the escort's here to pick you all up now. Best not tardy," said the fisherman as he stood up from his seat.
"So soon?" asked Suboshi.
"Why? Are you going to miss us?" asked Amiboshi with a smirk.
"No. I'm just worried you two are going to be bullied without me there."
The three friends hurried to the door to where the other people were gathered. They turned to the old couple. "Thank you so much for your hospitality," said Alexis as she gave a little bow. She didn't know how else to show her gratitude.
The old woman went back into her house hurriedly and returned with a bag of fish. "Take this, children. From the both of us."
"We cannot accept that. Please. It is your food…your hard work of catching it from the open sea," said Amiboshi.
"No, no. We hardly have company with us who gives us so much laughter and joy. One fish is nothing. Hurry before they leave you. If it's that ninja again, you will never survive him," said the fisherman with another chuckle. That ninja is really a barrel of laughs especially when he is with the mage.
Suboshi took the bag of fish from the old woman. "Thank you, if there's anything we can help, please do not hesitate to ask us."
"Come visit us when you can. That'd be enough," said the old woman with a big smile.
They turned to leave with a smile. The escort was wearing a cloak and his face was hooded. A long staff was strapped to his horse's side. Many people were rushing to him. Suboshi smiled. "Well, you two take care of each other there. If they give weekends off, maybe I'll come to see you two. For now, I have to rush for the registration. What are we going to do with the fish?" asked Suboshi as he lifted the bag of fish.
His twin brother and friend laughed. "You take it. It won't be enough to feed the whole army though."
"Well then. I better hurry there and cook it to have it ALL to myself," grinned the fifteen-year-old.
It was there and then that the two brothers separated. Amiboshi and Alexis hurried to join the crowd. Their escort was already down from the horse. The crowd slowly moved away from him, giving him more space. The man within the cloak spoke with a gentle voice," Don't be afraid. I'm to be your escort to the school. We mustn't be late. Yuuko-san would not like it."
He took off his cloak to reveal himself as a very tall man with wavy blond hair. He had eyes as blue as sapphire. His face was a friendly one. "Well, stop staring at me and get your horses!" he said cheerfully. "It's actually supposed to be Kuro-pii's job to do it again this year but…he didn't like to get wet. If he was here, he'd have murdered all of you for dawdling," said the blond man, grinning widely.
He must have been joking by the look of his expression and by the sound of his tone. The students made no move. They were pretty lost. Suddenly, two young men stepped up to him. One had messy bluish black hair with eyes that match his hair colour. His eyes were framed by frameless round spectacles. He looked matured beyond his age. Clad in a dark-blue coat, the sight of him was quite…superior.
The other was a tall young man with wavy black auburn-ed hair and armed with icy green eyes. The sight of this person was just as superior but he looked intimidating as well. He wore black boots strapped with metal chains. In addition to his gloomy physique, he wore black slacks with a metal chain and a loose black collared shirt.
The two looked at each other with different expressions. The blue-eyed teenager smiled but the one with green eyes was cold and unfeeling. The lad with the blue eyes smiled at their escort and asked politely, "Sir, don't you have to check our papers or letters?"
The escort stared at the young man, staying silent for a while. Then, "I do? Oh, yes! I do! I've never done this before. Silly me. Alright, show me your papers and you can get your horses. Two to a horse," laughed the older man.
The green-eyed teenager gave a cold laugh and asked," And where do we find these horses to ride?"
The escort stood silent, thinking. "Oh right. I should have gotten a crash course from Kuro-tan for this whole thing. Go to the stables between the two houses there. Well, make a line and show me your papers, letters, whatever. Hurry, hurry!" For a man as old as himself, he was a strange one. He looked like he was enjoying himself. Apart from that, he did not seem to notice the rude way the boy had spoke to him. He only continued smiling, laughing and making jokes.
The students hurried to find a riding partner and together, they lined up, show their letters and sped off to choose a horse to their liking. Amiboshi and Alexis were together. The first boy who had spoken was with a taller girl with long brown hair. They were accompanied by a little black creature with small wings. When it was their turn, their escort made some sort of sound. "Wheet-whoo! You're from Perrier? I heard they have the tastiest water, which is strange. Don't you think so? Water's water. Though I've tried it before. It really is good," said the man with a grin.
The boy smiled. "I have no idea why either but it really is and it's good for health too."
However, at the sound of the word "Perrier", the students there stiffened. The horror of their kingdom's past still haunts their memory. But no one had a more hatred look than the second boy who had spoken with utter rudeness. The murmuring among the students had quietened. Many were looking at the Perriern. Their escort, noticing the tenseness in the air, pretended not to notice and ushered the boy and his companions towards the stables. Most of the chosen students were Symphonians. If it was said that Symphonians understood people, forgiving people, it was not entirely wrong. However, there are things that burn deeply but painfully in a human's heart and mind such as the Great War between Symphonia and Perrier. The war brought upon their kingdom much bloodshed and loss of innocent lives. It was a nightmare. Having witnessed the war at such an early age, they had no one to blame, no one to point the finger at but Perrier. In their minds, they were arguing as well. Do they accept this person or do they not? It was his kingdom's fault, his ruler. It was not he who started the war. It was not he who killed or wound their family or friends. Yet, he was a native of that cruel place. No one could make a decision. No one went any nearer to him, but at the same time, they glance at him and when there was eye contact, there were only a momentary exchange of smiles. Nothing more.
Perhaps the boy understood but he did not let it bother him. It was only the first day. He had known this would happen and he had made his decision. He would not turn back and neither would he thrash this grand opportunity. To be accepted, to be chosen to enter XXXHolic Academy, it was an honour. It was a privilege.
His companions, the girl and the flying creature looked worried but they knew him better. He was a determined person. The girl with the long brown hair had brown eyes and her name was Nakuru. Nakuru Akiizuki. She had another name too. She was older than the boy but the three had known each other for a long time. The flying creature was called Supinel. What he is, no one could guess. A small lion? A small tiger? A cat? Or maybe a deformed teddy bear.
"Eriol?" asked Nakuru.
"Nakuru, I'm fine," said the boy.
"That's good. Now that I'm sure you're good, I can think peacefully," said Nakuru dreamily.
Eriol and Supinel simply laughed.
"You mean dream peacefully?" asked Supinel with a smirk.
Nakuru Akiizuki was already a student at XXXHolic Academy, being a few years older than Eriol; she was enrolled a few years ago. She was ecstatic to be going back to school. In addition to that, her friends from home were here with her as well. Having Suppie around was even more fun. The black thing is a spoilsport, a sad creature. It does not like sweet things like her and it was not as euphoric as she was. It was a calm creature. Being from Perrier, it was tough to be in Symphonia. Still, she fitted in fine and had many friends. Everyone was friendly. Then again, perhaps it was the age difference.
"Don't worry, Eriol. They'll be nice to you soon enough. You guys just need some warming up!" said the girl cheerfully.
Eriol only smiled as they gathered with the other teenagers. The escort had already finished the checking of letters and mounted his horse gracefully. The tall man with blond hair looked around and started counting heads. Loudly. There should be twenty-one teenagers. Only one person had a horse all to himself, noticed the man. It was that boy who was dressed all in black. He smiled wistfully. He reminded him of Kuro-tan. Although, there was something different about this boy. He isolated himself, just sitting on that horse looking cold and angry. The only person he talked to was his sister and an older boy, her personal bodyguard, observed the cheerful man. If that black boy is like Kuro-tan, that would mean he will not be the boy's favourite teacher. That would be sad, thought the twenty-two year old man.
After ensuring that everyone was safely on their horses, their escort assured them that their bags would be taken up to the school and led them to where a new journey awaits all.
During their ride to the school, the escort observed each and every new student except for Nakuru. She was a student he liked. She was a very carefree and humorous person like himself. There were not many he took notice of. Being a mage, a wizard, he took great care in looking for detail. He can sense which student had potential in magic and who possessed great power. He can see who the real happy and friendly person was and who the grumpy ones were. That black dude, Rye. That was his name. He had collected all his emotions and buried them deep in his heart. Too much pain had this child endure. His sister, Caerie, was another thing. Being a year older, it was certain she was more patient and open-minded than her brother. Perhaps it was that bodyguard friend's doing. Rye, however, was alone and had no one else but his sister.
The blue-eyed mage glanced at another pair. A girl with light purple streaks in the midst of her long, wavy black hair was riding with a boy who possessed wavy dark blonde locks. The boy had a special ability with his flute. He had heard it at the port. Its tune was a sort of a magical twist. It can be quite deadly. Amiboshi Fune. He will not be forgetting this name. He was not the only one with immense power. There were a few others. He could only compliment Yuuko-san for choosing well this year.
They were fast approaching the school as the tall and wide building came into sight. It was a white building, and it was guarded by black grills surrounding it. The front grill gates were large, black and dangerous. The curved, black metal words "XXXHOLIC S. ACADEMY" at the top between the two pillars holding the gates loomed over them as they drew nearer. The gates were shut and they looked too heavy to be pushed by human hands. There were black crescent moon shapes at each gate.
"There is a ward on this gate; therefore no one need guard this place. A word of advice. Don't even think of running away from this place without us knowing," smiled the wizard as he took his staff and tapped the gate with it.
The shiny black gates creaked open welcomingly at the touch of the wizard's staff. "And, don't try to take my staff and knock it into the gate, it will not open. Someone tried that last year and my, not only did he break my staff, he scratched the gate so badly with these crystals that the magic in it hit him and turned him into a camel," continued the wizard. It had taken him ages to mend his staff back.
"These gates are new, by the way. Oh, Watanuki is here already," said the wizard sadly. His duty was over and so soon too. Then he saw someone in black striding up the Great Stairs. "KURO-PII!" shouted the thin wizard.
They had reached the main door and there stood a spectacled man, younger than their escort, looking anxious as he checked his list. "Fye-san. Thank goodness, you got here on time. With the rain, I was so afraid we'd be behind schedule. That witch is going to be here any minute!" said the man named Watanuki.
"Not to worry, right? I, Fye, can do anything right!" chirped the wizard named Fye.
The black figure at the stairs behind the doors snorted out loudly and laughed. Everyone's attention was focused on this particular person. Their escort, Fye seemed thrilled to see him. The man noticed the sudden attention and turned to stare at them. "What do you want?" barked the man Fye called Kuro-pii.
So, this was the man who was supposed to bring them to the school. The one Fye said would have murdered them for being slow and late. It was then did they realize that their wizard escort was not joking at all when he mentioned this man. Yet, Fye did not seem afraid of him or annoyed at him. But this Kuro-pii or Kuro-tan looked irritated for Fye to be calling him.
"Stop giving me those names!" shouted Kuro-pii.
"Is Kuro-woofy in a bad mood today?" asked Fye, grinning as he went up the stairs, leaving his horse.
"I'm not a doggy! Go away!" snapped Kuro-pii as he jogged up the stairs with a tailing Fye.
All the new students stared after the pair with much interest. In fact, they found them both funny. Watanuki looked irritated at the two but he did not say anything, as they were his colleagues. He cleared his throat for attention and checked his list again.
"Alright, you bunch are all on time, not to worry but the other groups have already arrived since their pick-up stations were nearer. So, they've already been sorted into their rooms and are there already, packing and so will you after this. You'll be sorted into different teams after lunch. Now, the people in your teams are not necessarily the same people you'll be sharing your rooms with. This is just for you to know everyone but to have some competition at the same time with each other. Healthy competition."
There were much whispering and murmuring as Watanuki took a breath.
"Sir! You mean there are other new students besides us?" chirped a voice among the crowds.
"Yes, yes. Not a very large group. We can't just have only thirty people studying at this school. Not everyone comes from the same places as you do. Now, let me get back to my topic. Lunch will be served soon. So, I'm going to announce your rooms. You can get acquainted later."
Watanuki flipped a page of his list and got everyone there into his or her respective room groups. Apparently, they would be joining the other students in their rooms. Everyone was going to be mixed together. Obviously, the girl's rooms and the boy's were separated. A boy who asked that question got a stern glare from the Assistant Headmistress.
"People, your things are already in your rooms. Hurry now. You have forty more minutes to lunch. If you haven't finished unpacking then, you can continue after lunch. Today, there'll be no lessons so you people can just do whatever you like. Do what is ALLOWED. Yuuko-san, that is, the Headmistress will be at lunch and it'll be served at the Eating Room," said Watanuki as he ushered the group of boys to the Boy's Wing. "I'm sure you'll be able to find your way, since each room is labelled."
Yes, there is actually a Boy's Wing and a Girl's Wing. It was only out of Yuuko-san's humour that these names for places exist in her school. Most of the teenagers there, however, agreed that Watanuki complains too much yet he really was good help. Still, they could not wait to see that Fye man and Kuro-woofy again. They were humorous although some scoff them as Fye being a childish fellow and Kuro-woofy an old menopause man. ("What parents would name their kid Kuro-WOOFY? Or is it Kuro-PII?")
Alexis Virgil and a girl had been sent to Room 1369. They were engaged deeply in conversation. The girl's name was Caerie. She was a gentle person and very knowledgeable. She knew many things, thought Alexis. Her long, wavy auburn-ed hair suited her hazel coloured eyes.
Caerie thought Alexis differently. She thought that Alexis was a very funny and strange girl. The colour of her hair and eyes were uncommon. She had never, in her life seen someone like Alexis. This girl came from Lohii Islands, which explained why she did not know much of the news in the city.
"What do you think they'll serve for lunch?" asked Alexis as she rubbed her stomach. It was growling as if it was begging.
That was another thing about Alexis. She seemed to be a very hungry person. Unlike Caerie who was wearing a skirt, Alexis was wearing long baggy pants. Very unlady-like, thought Caerie. But she was not discriminating Alexis Virgil. No. She was curious about her new friend. She found her extremely interesting. What Caerie knew was nothing compared to the stories Alexis had. Her stories of Lohii Island brought a completely new meaning of her view of the world outside Aien. Alexis had mentioned about her flute as well. She would love to hear the melody of her flute. Flute players were not common then.
"Oh look! We're almost there. Room 1367, 1368 and Room 1369!" said Caerie as she removed her key from the necklace hanging round her neck. The door gave a small click as she unlocked the door. The two new friends entered their new home, mouth-open.
They were amazed. It was like living inside a mini cottage. They had entered what should be the living room. It was furnished with couches and sofas with tables. At the side of the room, there was a majestic fireplace. Near that fireplace was a big, long table with comfy armchairs. Another corner, there lay a mini pantry. They opened it to find various food and drink. There was lemonade.
"I suppose there's where we do homework," said Caerie, smiling widely.
"Uh huh…"
They found five other doors in that room. The first one they went into contained Caerie's belongings and bags. "Your room," said Alexis as she went to the next door.
Caerie followed and the second room was a bathroom fully equipped. The third, they found Alexis' room. The fourth belonged to their roommate. So did the fifth. Their roommates had already packed and left to venture, they noticed. Alexis checked her silver watch piece and saw they had another twenty minutes to lunch.
The two teenagers separated and hurriedly packed their bags and belongings. Both decorated their own rooms, making them feel like they were their very own. They finished with five minutes to spare, and considering the time they had left, they sped off to the Main Hall. Hopefully, they would be able to find their way to the Eating Room.
"Don't you think that's a weird name? Eating Room?" asked the auburn-ed hair girl as they rushed down the Great Stairs.
"Yeah well but it makes sense, at least," answered her friend.
They have to admit it. They were lost. The Main Hall led to many other rooms. Which would be the one they want? "How lucky are you?" asked Caerie.
"Not very. You?" asked Alexis, looking at her.
"Same."
"Should we test our luck together then?"
Caerie gave a weak laugh. "Better than just standing around here like silly fools."
"Rie!" called out a voice suddenly.
Caerie turned around to find her brother standing from one of the doorways. "Rye! What are you doing here?" asked Caerie.
"I should be asking you that question. I didn't see you in the Eating Room so I came to look for you," replied her brother, thankful to have found his sister.
"We got lost," laughed Caerie.
Rye or Caederye looked at his sister's friend. Alexis had kept quiet when Caerie's brother entered the hall. Seeing his worried face, she thought best not to speak without being permitted by the intimidating boy. She gave him a smile, braving herself to speak. "Hello," she said.
The boy said nothing. He gave her a gruff nod and looked back at his sister. "We better go already. We can still make it if we hurry," said Caederye.
His sister nodded and beckoned Alexis to follow. Guess he is a good brother anyhow, thought Alexis as the three rushed to the Eating Room.
In the Eating Room, there were hundreds of small round wooden tables enough for ten people to sit per table. The walls were decorated with long banners and big glass windows. The view outside was beautiful, on the right was the view of the beach and the sea while on the left; there was a field or a meadow to look at.
Elle Newl was seated at a round table near the window facing the sea. She had been there early and chose the best seat. Accompanying her at the table were a tall, pale woman with flowing black hair, the Assistant Headmistress and six other students. She was seated next to a girl named Hariette Eisenstaedt and a boy named Amiboshi Fune. There was an empty seat next to the boy but he refused to let anyone sit there. He told the enquirers that he was reserving it for someone. The girl next to her, her name was difficult to pronounce so Hariette had told her to call her Te. Elle Newl spoke enthusiastically about her hometown when it was her turn to introduce herself. Everyone laughed at her words, or rather her jokes.
The girl, Te was her roommate as well. They got along very well. Te was a very matured and intellectual person, she noticed. She was just as sarcastic as she was. Amiboshi was a very nice person too. He passed her a plate without being asked. He treated all the girls very nicely. The other three boys seemed to act nice out of respect for Amiboshi. They seemed to look up to him though Elle suspects he was oblivious of it. He also kept looking towards the door. Suddenly he seemed to leap a little. Elle looked towards the door as well. Hariette saw that the woman at their table looked as well.
Caederye, Caerie and Alexis panted as they reached the doors of the Eating Room. "Made it!" gasped Caerie.
"I'm even hungrier now," gasped Alexis.
Caederye stood, holding the door, gasping and staring at Alexis with a surprised look. His sister laughed at her brother's expression. They had really never met anyone like Alexis. A tall figure approached them. "Ally!" called the voice gladly.
Alexis looked up to see Amiboshi, grinning. "And I thought you'd be on time for food," he smirked.
"Aren't I on time?" gasped the girl, brushing a loss strand of hair away from her face.
"No," said a voice.
It was Caederye who spoke. Alexis turned to look at him, speechless, he really was too intimidating. He shrugged and walked away, pulling his sister with him. "See you later!" said Caerie, waving.
Amiboshi tapped Alexis' shoulder lightly. "Let's go eat first. Everyone's been waiting," he said.
She nodded and they headed back to the table.
Elle and Te stared at the girl Amiboshi had been waiting for. The pale woman smiled and uttered under her breath, "So, they have gathered…"
After lunch, many of the students had warmed up to each other and even to the teachers who sat at their table. They made new friends while some found old ones. The tall and pale woman who sat at Elle's table was actually Yuuko the Headmistress of XXXHolic Symphonia Academy. She was called away by two small girls as soon as she had finished her dessert. Unfortunately for Fye, he had not spoken much to the students he had sat with. This was mostly due to his choosing the wrong table. He had chosen to sit at the table where Caederye sat. The students spoke only when questioned and ate very little. Throughout the whole lunch, it was just Caerie and Fye who talked.
To everyone's disappointment, the teachers sat separately, which meant that that Kuro-woofy and Fye did not sit together. Each teacher sat with different groups of students. Elle's group was the noisiest of them all despite the presence of the Headmistress. Elle was a good and confident speaker. Te was not very talkative and very formal and polite in speech. Alexis spoke little at first but soon found it comfortable to speak to the bunch of strangers who were now all friends. Amiboshi was just the same.
Then, Watanuki stood up and walked to the front of the large room, carrying yet another list, only longer. He cleared his throat and gave a long speech.
"Without further a do, I shall now introduce you to the Sorting Ceremony. As I mentioned earlier, each and every one of you will be sorted into different and permanent teams. As a team, you will be having your classes and activities together. Points will be awarded for positive behaviour and accomplishments and points will be taken should there be any breaking of rules. At the end of the term, the team with the most points will receive a surprise."
There were much excited murmurs at the sound of this. Watanuki continued nevertheless.
"Here is a glass ball. I will call your name and you are to come up here. It's very simple. You just place both your hands on this ball and it will flash out the team you'll be in. Keep in mind, the sorting isn't just random choosing. There's a reason for its choice of team for you. Before the Sorting begins, I will now call upon the Team Masters and Mistresses to come up here and you will go to them when you've been sorted. There are five teams: Air, Fire, Water, Ice and Earth."
Five teachers stood up as they were called. "Fye's for Air. Kurogane's for Water, Tasuki's for Flame, Nuriko's for Earth and finally Tomoyo's for Ice."
They had all already known Fye and Kurogane (so that's what his real name is) but the other three were known only by those who had sat with them during lunch.
Tasuki was the one with blazing orange hair and dressed rather fashionably. Nuriko was a pretty girl with long lavender hair pinned up with stray strands of hair flowing down from her loose bun. Tomoyo was the other girl with much grace and poise. She had long, flowing black hair.
Everyone clapped as they reached the front of the hall next to Watanuki. Fye made another one of his "Wheet-whoos" and waved as if he was the star of a concert. Kurogane folded his arms irritably at Fye's behaviour. Nuriko and Tasuki seemed to be arguing about something with Tomoyo giggling at her four colleagues. Especially Kurogane.
"Okay, first one is Tywe Branc of Myrie. Step up! Step up!" called Watanuki.
A timid girl from Fye's table stood up and walked hurriedly to the front, avoiding eye contact with anyone. "Just place your hands on the glass," instructed Tomoyo gently, encouraging her.
The words "ICE" flashed out in bright blue at the girl's face. "Congratulations. Welcome to the team," said Tomoyo gently.
Tywe Branc breathed a sigh of relief that it was over and smiled happily. She took her place next to Tomoyo and the sorting continued. The sorting went in the order of places followed by the alphabetical order of names.
The process was fast and smooth as each student gathered with his or her new teammates and Team Master or Mistress. Caederye was sorted into Team Flame while his sister became a member of Team Ice. Te was sorted into Team Earth, Elle into Team Water . Alexis got into Team Air with Amiboshi. Perriern Eriol was sorted into Team Ice.
Soon, it was all over and once again, Watanuki spoke. His spectacles were close to falling off the bridge of his nose as he bent to see his cluster of notes and lists on a nearby table. "The Sorting is now over. Your Team Master would be speaking to you about certain things and you may ask questions. Well, have a great year here at the academy. For your information, it is during not only meals and resting times that you'd see your other friends in the other teams. Each and every team will be sharing different classes with different teams permanently. I have to go now. See you at dinner and be on time!" stressed Watanuki.
Team Earth, thought Te, Nuriko, that's a nice name. Too bad Elle, Alexis and Amiboshi are not in her team. There was no one she knew in Team Earth. "Gather round, gather round everyone," cried a voice. Nuriko.
"First of all, nice to be having you all in my Team. I hope there'll be no rule breaking from any of you. I'll be giving you your timetables tomorrow but don't worry; there'll be enough time for you to go back to your rooms to fetch your books after breakfast. There're four more hours till dinner so you can explore the campus or you can go roaming outside. However, you must give me your names. Understood?" informed Nuriko.
The whole group chorused their understanding, looking excited. "Any questions?" asked Nuriko.
A hand lifted itself. "What is it?" asked Nuriko.
"What do we call you? And will you be teaching anything?" asked a boy dreamily.
"You can call me Nuriko when we're not having classes. During lessons, you'll have to call me pretty lady," winked the cheeky teacher.
Team Earth laughed at their Mistress' joke. It was not bad to be in this team after all, thought Te. I wonder if Elle would like to go for a walk outside, thought the blonde girl.
"Well, what I teach is not what you need to know now. So, who wants to go outside?" asked Nuriko.
A handful of hands raised themselves. Te glanced towards Elle; she seemed to be putting up her hand for something. She took her chances and swung her hand up, knocking a boy standing next to her. "Whoops! I'm so sorry!" shrieked Te, bending forward to see her victim.
Nuriko stifled a laugh and wrote Te's name of the piece of paper, which contained the names of students going outside. The victim stood up shakily and rubbed his eye. "It's okay," laughed the boy.
"Plont, don't worry, you don't have to see the nurse," asked Nuriko, examining the boy.
"Thanks, Nuriko."
Te looked worried. "Are you sure you're alright? I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Te guiltily.
"That's some strength you have there, Hariette," laughed Nuriko. "I know how it feels. Well, you people get going and be on time for dinner. See you then!"
With that, their Mistress walked off whistling. She was joined by Team Fire's Master, Tasuki. The two chatted animatedly as they exited the room. Many other students were leaving as well. Mr. Kurogane (as how all the students have decided to call him) was being led away grumpily by Fye with Fye's arm over his shoulders. Ice's Tomoyo was talking to a member of her team serenely. Te looked back at her victim. He smiled. "I'm really fine," said the boy. "I'm Plont by the way," he said, putting his hand forward.
"Hariette, but everyone calls me Te," said Te as she shook his hand.
"Plont!" called a voice.
Caerie and Caederye, who looked cold still, were approaching them. Te spotted Elle walking towards the exit with some people and excused herself from Plont and his friends. She raced over to Elle and together, decided to walk around the campus. Alexis and Amiboshi were together, talking about the school excitedly, with the teams and the teachers and so much more. Seeing them, Caerie, Elle and Te approached the two with their trailing brother and friends respectively. "Hey, you two!" called Caerie.
"Hey!" replied Alexis brightly.
"Hey, Caederye!" greeted Amiboshi.
The unfeeling teenager mumbled something in return grumpily. Suddenly, Elle's group of friends muttered about having to go and rushed off quickly from the room. Plont gave a hearty laugh and punched Caederye's shoulder playfully, unable to speak. "So, what are you going to do?" asked Te.
"You're Caerie, right?" asked Elle, turning towards the auburn-ed hair girl.
"Oh. Yes. And this is my brother Caederye and my friend, Plont."
"I'm Elle daughter of Newl."
"I'm Hariette daughter of Eisenstaedt but you can call me Te. It's much easier to pronounce."
Alexis, being happy and energetic from all the food, joined in the introductions. "And I'm Alexis daughter of Virgil and a new student of XXXHolic Symphonia Academy!" grinned the girl at her new friends.
All except Amiboshi, who was laughing hysterically at his childhood friend, stared blankly at her. Slowly, they joined in with Alexis looking blurring. "What?" Alexis asked.
"Nothing, Ally. Nothing," said Amiboshi wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Well, we want to go out. Want to come along?" asked Caerie, giggling.
"We were thinking of going too!" said Te.
"Well, do you want to go?" Amiboshi asked Alexis.
Alexis looked at Caederye, unsure. Caerie realized her query too and tugged her brother's shirt. Caederye shrugged, unfolded his hands and walked towards the exit. Caerie smiled. "No problem. Don't worry about my brother," she said as she pulled Plont with her to catch up with her brother. The other three girls followed her, happy to be feeling at home at the school.
yOSH! So, how was it??! Comments, suggestions are warmly welcomed! Read and Review o kudasai!!! Thank you so much once again! Have a nice day!