Chapter 2: Of Memories And Nicknames

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to KOEI TECMO, TECMO and Team NINJA. I am not Yosuke Hayashi.

A/N: Three reviews in a day!:) So happy that it worked! See? I updated Hitomi's Innocence, just like I promised!:) This chapter is in Eliot's Point Of View.

Time flies quickly. And I mean it, quickly. I mean, one moment, I'm just a newborn fresh from my mother's womb, the next, my father gives me 'the talk' and now, I'm seventeen, in Year 11. Moved in an English school in Japan.

Time flies so quickly.

I lived all of my life in the United Kingdom, and everywhere I went, I heard people say that I was in the richest family in the world, or rather, one of the richest. I don't know why my father moved me, my little sister and my mother all here. Our house is as big as the one in London, but it doesn't feel like home. It just doesn't. Mei Lin, my adopted little sister from China loves it. She's going to a Japanese school where they teach English, but promised herself to never forget her Chinese heritage.

The only reason I'm glad to be here, is because of her. Because of Ruby.

I'll never forget that day, even if I was only five years old thinking of it.

-Flashback-

We were in Japan. Mummy said that Father had tons of work to do, so he couldn't play with me today. Mummy also said that she had dinner with friends, so she couldn't play with me either. She bought me a new toy car to play with, to apologise, but I knew I would get bored of it. So I went to our Japanese maid, Umitsu, and asked if we could go to the park. She was hesitant at first, but I guess my cute looks got her to soften.

She grabbed my favorite blue coat and settled me in it. She said it was quite cold. We walked to the park, where autumn leaves decorated it. Umitsu started to chase me around. I laughed, I giggled, until I couldn't take it anymore. I asked if we could play hide and seek. She was reluctant at first, but then I told her to count to three hundred. I promised to not get lost, as I could get kidnapped.
She started to count, and I went to hide. I went for the bushes, ignoring the new pants Mummy had gotten for me. I quietly giggled when Umitsu looked for me under a rock. Then she started to walk to my hiding spot, and I panicked, so I ran to where the swings were.

A little girl was crying.

First I cocked my head to the side. My friends back in UK told me that girls were gross and disgusting, always wanting kisses, but my Mummy always told me to treat them with respect. So I walked to her. She was wearing a white beanie, a dark purple coat, white tights and a light purple dress with black boots

"Hello?" I said. She looked up at me, and I couldn't believe that I was staring in the most beautiful eyes on earth. Her eyes looked like Mummy's rubies. And I loved the colour of her hair. Purple, just like my Mummy's nails.

"Who are you?" She asked in a small voice. I smiled at her, then remembered that I couldn't tell anyone who I was.

"I don't know," I replied, suddenly shy, "why are you crying?" I asked. She sniffed.

"I can't find my brother and sister." She said, and I noticed a small lisp. I sat next to her on the swing.

"It's okay, they'll find you. My Mummy always said that no matter what, someone will find me. So it must work for you, too." I replied. She stared at me, before wiping her tears away and giving me an adorable smile.

"Thanks," she said in that small voice, "will you play with me?" She asked, her red eyes pleading. I couldn't say no.

We spent the entire afternoon playing, getting to know each other, laughing and looking at the sun. I've never had so much fun in my whole life. I loved this sense of freedom. Just as she sat on the swing and I was ready to push her, I heard Umitsu's voice calling me.

"Eliot? Eliot! Where are you?" She called. I sighed and looked at my new friend sadly.

"My maid is here. I can't stay, or my Mummy will get worried." I said. She frowned and pouted, grabbing my hand.

"I don't want you to go." She said, tears forming in her eyes. I pulled her into a teddy bear hug.

"It's okay. I'll be back." I replied, squeezing her hand. She smiled.

"I never knew what your name was?" She looked at me expectantly. I frowned, looking at our hands, then smiled.

"It's a secret. I'm a ninja, so I can't tell you," she giggled at that, "but you can call me Sapphire." I said.

She frowned, "Sapphire? But isn't that a girl's name?" She asked.

"I know, but because I have blue eyes like my Mummy's Sapphires. And I can call you Ruby. Since your eyes are red." I finish proudly. She frowned, then smiled brightly.

"Okay, Sapphire." She said. I kissed her cheek and she blushed.

"Bye, Ruby!" I ran to where Umitsu was.

"Bye, Sapphire!" She called back.

Afterwards, my parents told me we were leaving the next day. It broke my heart. I would never see Ruby again. And I had just met her.

At the airport, I reminded myself of Ruby's pretty red eyes.

"Bye, Ruby." I whispered when we were in the plane. And I could've sworn I had heard her reply to my call.

St Peterson High School. After my father had told me those four words, I was crushed. Ruby was Japanese; of course she'd go in a Japanese school. She probably already has a boyfriend. I sigh. Being a rich kid was never easy. Ruby was my only true friend, and she was miles away from Europe. The friends I had from UK were only interested in themselves. It sickened me to see them laugh at a student because she wasn't pretty enough or he wasn't rich enough. Partially, I was glad that I left St David's. Funny this school's also named Saints.

If it wasn't for the receptionist in front of the Headmaster's office, I wouldn't have been late for maths. She was basically trying to shove her breasts in my face. She would bend purposefully, and even blew me a kiss. Sickening, seriously. Decency, much?

I ran to the Maths classroom, getting lost in the way and bumping into the janitor and apologising. I am so clumsy. Finally at the Maths classroom, I straighten my navy blazer and place three knocks on the door. I don't really know why I'm so nervous. It's not like I'll meet scrutinizing eyes. I hear the teacher's voice, telling me to come in. My hand twists the doorknob, and I give my best smile. I look around the classroom. There is at least twenty-six people in it. My eyes continues to roam, until I meet her eyes. My heart skips a beat. It's her. She's here! She's at SPHS!

"Ruby..." I whisper. Her lips just are about to form my nickname, when the teacher interrupts us.

"Class, give a warm welcome to Eliot McArthur." She says. The class remains quiet, but I don't care. All I see is Ruby, and I think, I hope that all she sees is me.

"Don't be shy, Eliot. Introduce yourself." The teacher urges. I swallow, and try to keep my eyes off Ruby, as I look at the rest of the classroom, smiling.

"Hello, mates," I say casually, my British accent surprisingly echoing in the classroom, "I'm from London, from a school named St David's. I uh, came here because of my father's business," also because of a special girl, but I don't tell them that, "I hope I'll make friends here and do well. I mean, we don't need the old man red faced like Rudolph's nose do we?" I hear chuckles of approvals, making me smile bigger. I nod at the teacher, then make my way next to Ruby. Fortunately, the seat next to her was empty. I place all of my stuff on the table, trying to stifle a grin. Gosh, all I want is to hug her again. Repeatedly.

She doesn't speak to me, but I can tell she's trying to strangle a smile. I try not to look at her, but it's nearly impossible. I swallow, and just as I'm about to speak, she says,

"Hi, Sapphire."

The smile on my face is there for the rest of the lesson.

The bell rings, signaling that it's lunch time. I carefully pack my stationery in my bag. Girls kept giving me flirtatious glances, especially a raven haired one, but I ignore them. I'm not interested in them, not in the least.

"Hey," A voice says, clearly trying to be seducing. I look up, meeting the gray eyes of the girl with raven hair. I look wearily at her.

"Hello," I reply politely.

"I'm Kokoro. Kokoro Douglas." She says again. I nod.

"Eliot McArthur." I reply, lifting my bag. She looks at me, flustered.

"Um, maybe you want to eat lunch with us?" Kokoro says, her frustration clear now. I sigh and shake my head slowly.

"Sorry, but I don't plan on eating in the cafeteria. I'm eating outside," I say. That is partially true, but I'm going to find Ruby, and possibly learn her name. I mean, she knows mine anyways.

"But-..." She continues, but I'm already out of the classroom. Arriving at my locker, I grab my lunch and head out to the green field. I look around and admire the surroundings. It's beautiful; there is a tennis course, a gym, an auditorium, a basketball and volleyball court and an archery course. My eyes light up. I used to do archery at St David's, and I have one at home. Gosh, I love archery. I'd do it several times, if I could.

"Admiring the view?"

I'm almost annoyed when I turn around, but it disappears immediately when I meet her eyes. I smile brightly.

"Hi," I say, my eyes surely sparkling.

"Hi," She replies, and smiles shyly. I love the sound of her voice

"So, I guess you know my name now." I say. She rolls her eyes and starts to walk towards a big oak tree, motioning me to come with her. I follow her, and she sits down, removing her blazer and sitting on it. I frown.

"Aren't you worried that it my be dirty?" I ask. She shrugs, and I sit next to her. We first start to eat in silence, and I can't help but sneak glances to her. She definitely isn't a little girl anymore. Her body is now fit to be a woman's. I linger to her hips more than necessarily, then turn away, ashamed for being a pervert. She smirks, and I know I've been caught.

"So, Eliot, huh?" She says. I look at her, startled.

"You're not really a ninja, are you?" She smirks when I blush.

"No, sorry. I promised that I could not tell who I was to anyone." I say.

"That makes sense." She nods.

"What's your real name, Ruby?" She grins when I call her that.

"It's...it's Ayane. Ayane Tenshin." She replies.

Ayane Tenshin.

We eat the rest of our lunches in silence, until the bell separates us.

A/N: there you have it! Their story when they were younger!:) oh, and there will be some Ryu/Kasumi/Rig in the next chapter. The way I updated two different chapters in a day. I am so tired.

I must really love you.

Question!: what do you think will happen in the next chapter? How will Ryu cope with Kasumi being with Rig? Does Kokoro have a crush? He now knows his name! Aww, Mei Lin's the little sister!

Review if you want more!

Don't forget to R&R!:)