Disclaimer: ::sarcastically:: Yea, I own it. Thas why I'm writing fanfiction for no profit at all instead of turning it into part of the anime… Heh…I wish… T T

A/N: Well, I'm back! Took a a bit longer this time, but then, I have good excuses! First off, I hit a mountain within this chapter. I knew where I wanted to go, but the path was steep and covered with roots... Luckily, once I climbed it, the rest was all an easy downhill walk. Heh, first time I've been able to come up with a good metaphor spur of the moment. :D
Ok, my second reason was... I was working on college applications last week and the beginning of this week! Not fun... T.T; Glad it's over with. Now, all I gotta do is wait and hope I'm accepted... - -
Okers then. Guess I'll leave all the chapter expplanations for the end. For now, though, here's chapter 2.

Enjoy!

Awakening Spirits

By Pegacorn (aka Lisa Bako)

Chapter 2: Send. In. The Intros!

…Annoyed…

…Irritated…

……Pissed…

No other words could describe the sand-haired boy's mood any better. In fact, he didn't even think those words did his attitude any justice. It was more like,…he was irked.

Yea…"irked" seemed to be the perfect adjective in this case. It was short, and to completely to the point; anyone would understand it.

If Reiki were to tell someone about his day so far --to think, it was still morning-- and they didn't understand why he was in such a mood, then, to put it bluntly, he'd call them an idiot.

First, there was that dream --it was enough to cause a heart attack (The boy was surprised he hadn't gotten one!)! Second, it was the dealings of his "alarm clock from hell", followed by his mother's "stealing of the sheets and pillow" act. Then, the devil-cat just had to start off his usual "torture routine" by stealing Reiki's favorite blue ribbon --the one that a good friend had given him before he left America, if he might add--, only to lead him off in a "morning workout", of which included --but was not limited to-- an all-out scramble down the stairs followed-up by a sprint through the living room into the kitchen, around the table, a leap over his father's breakfast --causing the middle-aged man to almost spill his mug of coffee on his newspaper while thoroughly entertaining his younger brother Michael ("Rei, what--?" "Can't talk, Dad! Gotta kill the devil-cat!" "Yea! Go Bandit!" "Unless you wanna be next, Mike, I suggest you keep it up!" "…shutting up now…")--, back into the living room, and ending with a dive-bomb tackle onto the couch. (A/N: Whew! Whatta mouthful!)

So…yea. After adding the fact that his parents did decide today was a good day to begin with the ritual "pester-to-get-a-haircut" routine at breakfast, it was easy to tell how pissed --no-- irked Reiki was.

…Especially now, after getting plowed into by a certain someone as they were rounding the corner --and not paying attention apparently-- as he walked by!

…

Ok, so he'd been jogging.

…Well…maybe more like…dashing…

…Ok, so he'd been running, too! So, sue him! But, that still didn't give the one who'd ended up knocking him down --Reiki was still on the ground, too-- the right to not look where they were going!

From his slightly sitting-up position, the blonde took a glance at the culprit, who turned out to be a raven-haired boy of about his own age --he was in a similar position as Reiki, only, currently, was being scolded by a brunette girl who was hovering over him and somehow succeeding in keeping her concern apparent.

"Yusuke, are you ok?", "I told you to stop! You should've listened to me!" and words of a similar degree were being fired at the boy --apparently named Yusuke-- from every angle; sure didn't seem to be doing the young man's mood any good as he climbed to his feet…

Sounding annoyed, "Alright already! I get the point, Keiko!", the green-clad teen shot back his own remarks, engaging in quite an…interesting conversation.

"Uhh…" Temporarily forgetting his anger, Reiki sweat-dropped at their strange antics, watching in stunned silence as the girl named Keiko pointed a finger in her companion's face, saying something about how rude it was for Yusuke to run away and ignore her like that, while Yusuke growled out his own response --something about how he wasn't in the mood for one of her lectures. It went on like this for quite a few minutes, of which during that time the sand-haired boy slowly got to his feet, dusted his jeans off, and retrieved his backpack from where it had fallen from his shoulder.

Reiki stood there --resisting the urge yell out as his thin patience tautened to the extreme-- as the couple continued to debate. A silent sigh escaped his lips; he could take it no longer. Clearing his throat, he decided to interrupt the duo, "Um, excuse me?"

Instantly, they both jumped, turning startled expressions on him. The boy blinked at him, while the girl blushed slightly in embarrassment.

The hazel-eyed teen cocked an eyebrow; it appeared they had forgotten he was there the whole time. And they had been arguing…in front of him…

He could hardly blame them for their reactions.

---

Yusuke didn't know how to respond. Here in front of him was this guy --he assumed he was male, though wasn't too sure because of the long hair-- whom was obviously the person he had collided with a few minutes ago during his attempted escape from Keiko.

Wait… This was the one who had ran into him! Shouldn't he be apologizing by now?? Sure didn't look like the other guy was about to start anytime soon if the suppressed expression of irritation on his face was anything to go by. In fact, if Yusuke didn't know any better, he could've sworn that the blond expected Yusuke to apologize! Like heck that was going to happen! It could be a cold day in Hell and he still wouldn't…

He began to open his mouth, intending to give this guy a piece of his mind…

"Sorry…"

Yusuke blinked. That hadn't been his voice. In fact, it had sounded like…

"It was an accident," Keiko continued, sincerity shimmering across her visage. "Yusuke wasn't paying attention to where he was going, but I'm sure he apologizes for running into you…" --The brunette directed a glare at the raven-haired boy, as if daring him to say otherwise-- "Don't you, Yusuke?"

"Uhh…" The glare on him intensified, getting a nervous look to cross his face. "R-right," he managed to stammer, inwardly cringing. 'Man, can she be scary sometimes…'

"…Actually…" The two of them jumped, turning to see that the other boy had a hand rubbing the back of his neck, a bit of a sheepish expression on his face. "Maybe I should be apologizing, too…" His gaze was directed at his feet, making the awkwardness he felt apparent. "I…wasn't really paying attention to where I was going,…and, I was rushing…so I wouldn't be late --even though today I'm allowed to be…"

Ok…so he apologized, too.

…But, wait. Yusuke blinked again. What did this guy mean, today he was allowed to be late? Late for what? School? He sure didn't look dressed for that, unless he didn't feel like wearing a uniform or his school didn't require one… Maybe work? Could be… But then, why was he carrying a backpack…?? Yusuke decided he wanted to find out… This guy was just so…so strange. What with that sand-blonde hair that seemed to reach his waist --a length even longer than Kurama's hair reached-- and his eyes… They were hazel-green, and tilted slightly in a feline-like manner. Those traits alone were quite uncommon for someone in Japan to have. But that was a different matter! He just wanted to know…

"What do you mean, "you're allowed to be late today"…?"

Now it was the blonde's turn to blink. "Oh, well I guess I should have cleared that up --I'm bad at explaining things, you see…" --He admitted with a sheepish expression before answering-- "I just moved here, so it's my first day of school…"

Ah… Well, that explained things. It also cleared up the lack of school uniform.

At this moment, Keiko decided to jump in and play the welcoming committee. "Oh, you're new here?" At his nod, she gave a friendly smile. "Well, welcome to Tokyo!"

(A/N: Don't sue me if that's the wrong city! I haven't heard them mention it in the anime. …If they even do… - -;)

---

Well, it seemed things were looking up! Considering how bad the morning had been so far, the situation had improved rather nicely. Maybe smacking into someone only to land on his rear had been a blessing in disguise!

…

Perhaps Reiki was being too optimistic? Maybe… He may as well go with it, at least, as the brunette began the introductions.

"I'm Yukimura Keiko. And this is--"

"Name's Urameshi Yusuke --" The raven-haired teen cut off the girl. "--number one bad-ass at Meiou Private Academy," he announced proudly --albeit arrogantly--, mumbling the last part, "…though that doesn't sound as cool as Sarayashiki Junior High…"

Keiko gave the punk-looking Yusuke a look. "Yusuke, why do you always have to introduce yourself like that?"

"Because it seems to scare people, and it's fun to do that," he answered with a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, stifling a laugh.

The girl just groaned in annoyance, causing her companion to lose the war he'd been in with his laughter.

The blonde looked on with amusement --seeming to have been forgotten about again, but remaining content with it-- as Keiko whapped Yusuke over the head with her fist, getting a choked "Ow!" out of the boy, succeeding in halting his chuckling.

The punk grumbled incoherently, rubbing the bump forming on the back of his head, as the brunette stood there, hand still raised in after-swing. Reiki made a mental note never to piss her off as she turned back to him, placing the smile back on her face.

"Don't mind Yusuke. He's actually a nice guy once you get to know him…"

He wondered if he should doubt her, until he remembered the phrase, "Looks can be deceiving". Guess he'd eventually find out if that statement was always true.

---

After introducing himself -- remembering to say his last name first, since that's how names were in Japan-- as Kaze Reiki (Yusuke's attention was caught by this for some reason.) and that he was also going to Meiou, the three of them set off, just noticing how much time had passed.

Basically, if they didn't move it, they'd be screwed. …Except for Reiki, of course, but he didn't like to be late.

Luckily, Keiko said, if they hurried they should arrive in five minutes and still have a bit of time before the bell rang.

She was right, too, Reiki observed, as the form of Meiou Private Academy's building loomed up ahead. It was then that the full intensity of the situation kicked in. Here he was, at a new school, in a different country, entering a sea of strangers, with none of his friends to support him. He may have become acquainted with Yusuke and Keiko, but he didn't know them well enough to consider them friends yet, nor did he know if he was to be sharing any classes with either of the two.

For the first time since arriving in Japan, Reiki felt nervous. And, as he strode past the many pairs of eyes belonging to students gathered outside to chat --Keiko directing him where the principal's office was before bidding the pair farewell (and hoping he may have at least one class with either of them)-- he wished for nothing more than to be back home in the tiny town on the east coast of America --too small to show up on a map, but not lacking in size--, attending the overcrowded high school, that --although overwhelming due to the large student population-- had always led Reiki to the familiar faces of his friends that never ceased to be glad to see him.

Taking in a deep breath, Reiki walked through the main door.

'Here goes nothing…'

---

Well...not much on the lines of humor... Or plot, for that much matter... '''XD Eheh... But, hey! It's longer, so no complaining! Funny thing is I typed up most of this today alone... X) Well, when motivation/inspiration strike, they refuse to go away.

Anyways, the thing with Rei-kun's surname... If you're trying to figure out why I chose "wind", don't bother. There's no hidden meaning or irony to it; I just like the word "kaze". :) Nothing more; nothing less.

And now, it's time for the review responses!

-Mihi-kun: ::blinks:: Heh, it's another coincidence. XD ...Sorta.. Anyways, thanks! :)

-Kawaii Kitsune Cub: Ooh! Cookies!! :D Danke schoen! So glad you like this! It's so cool when fellow writers whose stories I read like my work..and my art! X) I'm on such an ego high right now... o.0' Ah well! XD Thanks again! :)

2 reviews. Not bad. X) Well, you guys know what to do. For now, though, I'm goin to bed... It's 1am here... ::swirly eyes:: Ehhhh... I'm off....

-Pegacorn (The Too-Tired-to-Type-Anything-Else-So-Bye-For-Now)-