Where I end and you begin

Makoto's head felt like a ton of bricks. The experience of jumping from one memory to another was beginning to wear her down. She had just re-lived her parents funeral, a heart wrecking occasion which she had avoided for most of her life. Watching herself as a little girl go through that was terribly agonizing, except for the little blonde girl who stood by her side even when she went completely disregarded. The question of who she was still lingered insistently in her mind.

Reliant on her senses, Makoto examined her destination thoroughly before opening her eyes. The air smelled fragrant and clean, her landing was soft and smooth, she could taste the pure atmosphere in her mouth. Hopeful that her current location was far better then her previous one, she slowly opened her eyes. It was a semi dark room; a thin outline of light penetrated through closed drapes, the walls were white with a few paintings of landscapes on it, from the ceiling hung various kinds of plants and flowers, between two wooden cabinets there was a queen size bed and in it, an unmoving body covered itself with thick sheets.

Nice place, isn't it?

Makoto smiled weakly. The voice was much more reassuring than before. "Yeah, it is. So clean and fresh. I'm actually glad to be here", she said observing the room. Even though she knew she had done it herself, she couldn't help feeling proud, like a mother would be of her child.

Don't get your hopes up. It seems like any other day, but it isn't. You'll remember soon enough.

"I don't care what day it is, as long as I'm not at my parents funeral", said Makoto dourly. She looked at the bed and felt a sudden urge to climb into it's warmth and sleep soundly.

Alright, as you wish. I just don't want you to think this is going to be any better.

"ANYTHING is better"

An annoying ringing buzzed from the top of one of the cabinets. A lazy hand emerged from under the bed sheets and hit the shaking and loud alarm clock. A long yawn was heard before the covered body swung the heavy sheets off. It was a teenage girl with long brown locks tied into a ponytail, her body was quite developed despite her age; she had long slender legs and arms, she seemed rather tall and awkward, her half closed emerald eyes shun against the little light coming in from the window.

Makoto snickered. "Boy, was I dorky", she giggled.

What did you expect? You were only fourteen. Everyone feels clumsy at that age.

"Believe me, I felt more than clumsy. Still, I have to admit, I did keep a respectfully tidy place", said Makoto, beaming with pride.

Yes you did. You became a perfectly self-sufficient teenager. Your parents would have been proud. It's a shame you were so lonely.

"Mm…it wasn't so bad. As far as I can remember…"

The brunette teenager stood up, stretched, and checked the time on the alarm clock on her bedside table. It was seven o'clock in the morning. She sighed before sluggishly walking to her spotless kitchen. She poured herself a glass of juice and drank it while she waited for her bread to burn. Once the toast was ready she slowly smothered it with butter and jam, with wolfish bites she finished it in a couple of minutes.

"Oh…I feel embarrassed", snorted Makoto, her face feeling hot.

You weren't a little girl anymore. But why should you feel embarrassed? It's not new to me.

"I don't know, it's weird to see myself at that age. I look so…lost", said Makoto glumly.

Well, you did live alone. Bad time to go through puberty. But you'd be surprised how little you've actually grown up.

Makoto rolled her eyes. "Why do you keep saying stuff like that? What terrible thing could I have possibly done?", she said watching the teenage brunette wash the dishes idly, almost dropping one in the process.

You'll know soon enough, patience is…

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You're not going to tell me", interrupted Makoto quickly, she had grown tired of the voice's pestering lessons.

The teenage brunette had moved to the bathroom to wash her face and teeth. After that was done, she walked over to the bedroom and anxiously took out a extended garment from her dresser; it was a long light brown skirt, dreadfully plain. She then pulled out a long sleeved shirt with traces of the same brown on the cuffs and collar, the outfit was obviously a school uniform. The tall girl sighed before hastily slipping into the attire. From one of her cabinets, she took out and piece of paper filled with class schedules and hours, she bit her lip nervously as her eyes ran down the extensive list.

"No, no, not today. Let's go, please! I REALLY don't want to go through this again", groaned Makoto pleadingly. How could she have forgotten what was going to happen on that particular morning. The voice was right, it wasn't just any other day.

I told you not to get your hopes up. I'm terribly sorry but you're just going to have to ride it out. It's for your own good.

Makoto gave a long dreading sigh. "Fine, like I have a choice. Will she be there?", she asked hopefully.

Who?

"The little blonde girl with the red bow. She seems to have a little empathy for me, hope she shows up", replied Makoto thoughtfully. Deep inside she was excited and optimistic that the little blonde would pop up, even experiencing that vile day was worth it if she could just see her again.

Yes, we'll probably be seeing her. I hope you realize how foolish you've been obsessing about her, especially since you can't even remember who she is.

"Yeah, well…at least she's nice and caring. Unlike some people who get a jolly out of pinpointing my apparently numerous defects", said Makoto in exasperation.

Touchy, aren't we?

The tall girl swung her school bag over her shoulder, grabbed her keys, and exited the lonesome apartment. Outside, the day was clear and sunny, people could be seen waiting for the bus or walking down the street, the stores and restaurants were just beginning to open, teenagers in their school uniforms walked side by side laughing and joking. The brunette stared at them longingly, wishing she had some friends of her own. It was the first day at her new school, having been "asked" to leave her previous one due to an ostensible fight, and she was more anxious than ever.

"I felt like throwing up the entire day", Makoto sighed, "It was awful. Even the kids from other schools made fun of me", she said watching three teenage girls with blue, white and red uniforms brush past the tall brunette importantly before breaking into malicious fits of laughter.

At least you were old enough to bash their heads in, am I right?

"More like stupid enough", scoffed Makoto.

Head and shoulders bent, the teenage brunette pushed her way through the crowds of students chattering at her new school. No one even noticed the tall girl slithering in between them. She looked ahead and smiled hopefully at the entrance to the building. She sprinted towards it, and just as she was about to make it, something caught her foot causing her to fall over with a thunderous crash. The air was suddenly filled with shrieks of laughter and cackling, students had gathered around the brunette to gawk and point at her, many were doubled over with sniggering jests. Face flushed with embarrassment and anger, the tall girl craned her neck to see a boy her age grinning evilly, leaning against a tree, his foot sticking out where she had been walking.

Mean little brutes, aren't they?

"I know where this is going. Couldn't we please go somewhere else?", begged Makoto, her eyes traveling along the sneering students who watched the brunette slowly get up off the floor.

I thought you were anxious to see the little blonde girl. If we leave, she might not show up again.

"I do want to see her! But this-this is too much", stammered Makoto, but she thought about the blonde and those shimmering blue eyes that dazzled her so. Sighing heavily she gave up. "Fine. Let's get it over with".

Fists clenched and lip quivering, the brunette walked over the boy who tripped her, his mouth was twisted into a wicked grin but his proud chest instantly shrunk as the tall girl made her superior height evident. Her stare penetrated his glossy eyes, she made a motion to raise her fist, her whole body shaking with anger. The crowds around them grew silent, some people even took a few steps back, their wide eyes moving from the girl to the boy and back. The brunette quickly looked up thoughtfully before calming down, she gave the boy one last menacing look, then turned her heel and walked away towards the building.

Why did you think twice before hitting him? He certainly deserved it.

Makoto snorted. "Do you think I wanted to be kicked out again? Third school in less than two years?", she said aggressively.

Well, at least there were plenty of schools around your area.

"Very funny", snapped Makoto. "I wonder if I even got through high school", she said hoping for an answer.

Would this seem more important to you if you didn't?

"No"

Then stop obsessing about it and try to learn something from this. You couldn't even imagine how important today is so try to enjoy it.

"Yeah, okay. I'll try to enjoy it! Look! The other kids are making fun of me behind my back! How wonderful!" sneered Makoto sarcastically.

Sure enough the students, led by the obnoxious boy, were taunting the tomboyish brunette as she walked away. Her body began to shake again as her fists curled up into tight balls, her cheeks grew red as persistent tears rolled down her tense face. She came to a sudden halt and slowly turned around. The excited crowd ooh'd and ahh'd, their eyes narrowing maliciously as the tall girl took strident steps towards the now cowering boy. One student cried "FIGHT!" and was soon followed in sync by the rest of the crowd. From the doors of the building behind the brunette, a teenage blonde with a red ribbon stuck her head out, she stared at the defensive tall girl with worry and angst. Makoto quickly caught sight of her and breathed relieved as she watched the blonde sprint towards the brawl.

Your friend is back again. She looks a lot older, doesn't she?

"She's beautiful…", whispered Makoto gazing love struck at the blonde's well developed body. Her delicate face and passionate blue eyes gleamed against the sunlight, completely hypnotizing Makoto in her spot.

I thought you'd say that which means you'll probably be more distracted than ever. Right?

"Uh-uh", stuttered Makoto thickly, her eyes never leaving the blonde's lovely grown form.

The brunette was now standing face to face with the shorter frightened boy, behind her, the teenage blonde was shouting defiant words at the animated crowd but obviously she was completely invisible to them. The boy, pushed by his peers who yelled eagerly, puffed his chest valiantly and shoved the brunette who didn't even budge. In one quick move she pinned him against the tree and held him in place as he squirmed and fought against her overwhelming strength. The boy, flushed with embarrassment and reluctant to put in the towel, kicked the brunette in the stomach causing her let go and double over in pain. The crowd cheered, but the boy didn't even enjoy it as he was fast to disappear behind his posse of loathsome friends. The blonde quickly ran to the bent over girl and tried to soothe her, but she was ignored as the brunette jerked up and stomped over to the group of gloating boys. Their faces fell and they stepped aside when the enraged girl made her way over, the boy stood cowering, his eyes wide with fear. In a blink of an eye, the tall girl's fist swiftly connected with the boy's nose, with a loud crunch and spatter of blood flying everywhere, the boy cried out and fell back, his hands covering his red face.

Smart move. Breaking his nose, I mean. Did it hurt?

"Yeah but it also felt great", replied Makoto pleased. The blonde was jumping up and down happily as she cheered for the brunette.

Too bad your joy didn't last long.

The crowd had gone crazy. People were yelling and shrieking at the sight of blood. The boy, surrounded by his friends and random people with worried looks, was crying and pointing an accusing and shaking finger at the anxious brunette. All around the students were threatening the tall girl who stood confused, behind her, the blonde shot back curses and threats of her own. Before she could register, the brunette was being dragged back by a man sporting a shabby brown suit who pulled her hastily into the school's main building.

"Here we go", sighed Makoto as she watched the man and brunette quickly enter the principal's office, the blonde trailing behind them.

Believe me, you'll soon be glad this happened.

Inside the office, the principal sat facing the shaking girl, he looked at her shamefully before breaking into hysterical screams and scowls. The tall brunette hid her face as tears drenched her flushed cheeks, she stared down at the floor, a wave of unease twisting her insides. In the corner, the blonde stood crying as she watched the girl quiver with sobs. After a long series of shouts and cleverly hidden insults, the principal, huffing and puffing, lowered his flailing arms and cupped his hands on the table before him. With a long frustrated sigh, he took out a piece of paper and pushed it under the brunette's nose. Hand shaking, she took the paper and read it nervously.

"Transfer papers to some place called Azabu Juban High School. I wonder how long I lasted there", said Makoto glumly.

You'll be in for a big surprise.

After reading the long paper, the brunette placed it on the table and took a pen offered by the man in front of her. Reluctantly, she signed her name at the bottom and slid the paper back to the principal. He quickly checked it and put it in one the his drawers. With a knowing look, he lazily rolled his hand, inviting the tall girl to leave his office and most certainly the school premises. She got up, gave him a sour look, and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Wow. That was riveting", said Makoto mockingly as she watched the tall brunette quicken her pace before sprinting along the corridor, the blonde fast on her heels.

It is amazing how you got kicked out on the first day. But…it was for the best.

The teenage brunette ran furiously through the streets, pushing and ignoring the staring people who she encountered. Behind her, the blonde yelled encouraging words as she tried to keep up with the tall girl's long strides, but her kind words and muscle aching efforts went ignored. They reached a tall building, the brunette rushed up the stairs, unlocked her apartment and hastily flung herself inside, the breathless blonde following her every move.

"Well, I guess it's time to go", said Makoto urgently.

Not yet.

The tear filled brunette chucked her bag fiercely on the couch in the living room. She paced around the apartment cursing under her breathe, now and then punching the air around her. The blonde stood out of her way with an apprehensive look, her heart broken into a million pieces, she clutched her collar tightly. The tall girl ran into her room and threw herself carelessly on the bed, body curled up into a ball, she cried as her whimpers echoed through the lonely apartment. The blonde, reluctant at first, crawled onto the bed and wrapped her arms tenderly around the brunette, her fragile arms attempting to stiffen the shaking form. She placed sweet kisses on the girl's quivering back, and in minutes the two girls fell asleep.

"I wish she'd really been there. Nothing would have mattered then", whispered Makoto longingly.

Calm your aching heart, she'll soon be there for you. Are you ready to see what makes today a wonderful day?

"Promise she'll be there?", asked Makoto hopefully.

Of coarse.

The dizzy journey to the next memory had grown on Makoto. She ignored the confusing sounds and images as they soared past her. An optimistic sense ran through her body as her longing heart pumped eagerly against her chest, she would finally remember who the beautiful blonde was.

To be continued…