TheHeartsPath: Well what do you know? I made it to chapter 5! Hooray! Yusuke and Kuwabara appear in this chapter. Hope you like the chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its' characters. They are owned by Yoshihiro Togashi. I own only Ayla, her family, and any other characters that do not show up in the series.
"Talking" Thoughts ~Telepathy or mind-reading~
Chapter 5: First Day at a New School
Ayla's POV
"Class we have a new student. Come in and introduce yourself to the class." the teacher said.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to the classroom and entered. Closing the door behind me, I walked to the teacher's desk and turned to the class smiling nervously. I've always hated standing up like this in front of so many people that I didn't know. "Hello, my name is Ayla Natura. It's nice to be here." I hope I don't have to stay up here too long.
The teacher cleared his throat so I looked at him. I noticed that one of his eyes was twitching every now and then. My smile changed from a nervous one to an amused one. Oh yeah, this teacher isn't too happy with what I'm wearing. He wasn't the only one that had a problem with my clothes. The principal had a problem with it too. You see, I was wearing the school uniform, but it was the boys' uniform instead of the girls'.
The principal told me that it was against the rules and that I was to change into the girls' uniform immediately. I told him that I'd read the school rules in their entirety and all it said was that students must wear the designated uniform of the school. It didn't say anything about the students wearing gender specific uniforms. Which meant I wasn't breaking any rules by wearing the boys' uniform. To say the principal was annoyed would be an understatement. He looked like he was going to have a stroke from a student talking to him about the rules in such a fashion. I was told to go to class, not cause trouble, and do my schoolwork or I'd be back in his office.
Figures, you be an individual and those in charge think you're going to do nothing but be a delinquent. Sad really, but so damn true.
"Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself Ayla?" said Mr. Usui. At least I think his name is Mr. Usui, seeing as how I kinda forgot. For some reason I've always had a bit of a hard time remembering teachers' names.
Why should I tell you or anyone else anything about me? It's not like you'll reserve judgement until after you get to know me. Since I'm not wearing what all the other girls are y'all assume I'm nothing but a troublemaker.
I knew that I was doing the same thing that they were. Assuming how they'd all act towards me just because of my manner of dress. Doing so was putting me on the same level as them and I didn't want that. So I pushed those thoughts aside and hoped that maybe, just maybe, that I was wrong. And that there was at least one person in this school, besides my siblings, that would treat me as an equal and not a troublemaker or freak.
Turning back to the class I noticed that Kokoda was sitting in the row before the one in the very back, next to the window. He smiled at me encouragingly and waved at me. I relaxed a bit since I now knew that there was one person in my class that wasn't a complete stranger. Looks like I found that one person. I thought happily.
In a voice that was loud enough for everyone to hear me clearly I said, "My family and I just moved to Japan a week ago. I have two older siblings and two younger siblings, making me the middle child of five. My favorite subject, not to mention my best, is history. My least favorite would have to be math. Which apparently hates me with a passion." This earned me a couple of chuckles from the students. Well at least some of them have a sense of humor.
I continued what I was saying, "I grew up in America and am fluent in both the English and Japanese languages. As you all may have noticed by what I'm wearing, I'm not very fond of skirts. Especially ones that are so short. So don't be expecting to see me in the girls' uniform anytime in the near future, if ever." I couldn't help the smirk that came onto my face when I said that last bit.
Kokoda looked like he was trying not to laugh at my last few sentences. A couple of the other boys snorted, while all the girls just glared at me like they wanted to kill me or something. Note to self: Be wary of the girls. They might try something.
I looked to Mr. Usui. "Where do I sit sir?" I politely asked. Figuring that being polite would be the best thing to do since I wanted the teacher to see I was a good student and not a troublemaker.
He blinked at me for a moment, then seemed to realize what it was I had asked. Guess being polite threw him. I thought trying not to laugh. Turning to look at the class he said, "You'll be sitting at the desk in the back, near the window, behind Kokoda Minamino. Minamino raise your hand so that she knows who you are."
"We already know each other Mr. Usui." Kokoda replied back.
Raising an eyebrow Mr. Usui asked, "And just how is it that you two know each other?"
I could tell he didn't like the fact that one of his students already knew me. He's probably thinking I'm gonna contaminate him and turn Kokoda into a delinquent. I thought rather sarcastically, fighting the urge to physically roll my eyes.
"We met each other yesterday sir. She's my new next door neighbor." Kokoda said with a smile.
Displeasure and annoyance came from Mr. Usui's Heart Song loudly enough that muffling it did no good after hearing that bit of information. Not that I needed to listen to it to tell he was feeling those things. The look on his face said it clearly enough that even a total moron could have figured it out. Nothing I do is gonna get this guy to see I'm a good kid and not a delinquent. This is absolutely ridiculous.
"I see. Well Natura, go sit down so that class can start." Mr. Usui said in a stiff way.
I nodded to him then headed to my desk and sat down. Well, it's now official. I thought with a smirk. The war known as school has commenced.
My first three periods were science, math, and history. Science class went by alright, though I did get confused with some of the formulas. I'd see about asking Gwen to help me understanding them better. She's a total whiz when it comes to science. Math class was downright demoralizing to say the least. I didn't understand what the teacher was saying half the time, and the other half was spent trying to retain what little I did understand. I swear math hates me. That's all there is to it.
I realized with a groan that I was going to have to find someone here in Japan to tutor me in math. Back in America my parents had to hire a tutor in order for me to understand math. Sadly having a tutor was the only way I'd be able to pass math.
I was so happy when math ended and history class started. When I had said that history was my best subject I hadn't been lying. Ask me a question concerning the history of any ancient, medieval, or more recent civilization, culture, or mythology and I can answer you quick as lightning.
To put it mildly, I'm a major history nerd. I used to take college courses for history back in America before we moved. A few years ago Gwen, Sinclair, and I made a deal. Gwen would help with science, Sinclair would help with english (not the language but the writing part), and I'd help with history. It's worked pretty well for all three of us so far.
Fourth period came which meant it was time for lunch. Luckily it turned out that Kokoda and I had the same lunch period as Gwen and Sinclair. So the four of us went outside and sat under a tree to eat lunch. Turned out Kokoda forgot his lunch today, so I let him have some of mine since I always pack a big lunch. We were all eating and talking about how our day had gone so far.
Gwen was having a really good day, especially her period before lunch, which happened to be science. A couple of guys had already asked her if she wanted to go out, but she turned them down. She told them that she wanted to get used to her new town and school before she started dating anyone.
I smirked, knowing that the real reason she turned them down was because of a certain red head. She was interested in Shuichi and wanted to stay single in case he wanted to ask her out. The look she gave me clearly said 'I know that you know the truth. But don't you dare say anything to them unless you want to suffer from my wrath.' I'd learned to recognize that particular look after the first time she had a crush and I had said something when she didn't want me to. It's not like I was planning on saying anything about her crush on Shuichi to anyone anyways.
It was only the first day at our new school and Sinclair had already managed to get detention. I held out my hand to collect the money I had won from my bet with Gwen.
She sighed, but handed the thousand yen over to me saying, "I was so sure he'd at least stay out of trouble on our first day."
I snorted, "Sinclair and detention basically go hand in hand. Like I've told you before, don't bet against a certainty."
"You two bet on whether I would get detention or not?!" Sinclair yelled.
"Yep." Gwen and I answered together while smiling.
"Some sisters you two are." he grumbled. Kokoda laughed at how disgruntled Sinclair looked. "Oh shut up Kokoda. You'd say the same thing if you had sisters betting on you getting detention or not."
"Maybe. But unlike you, I don't have any sisters Sinclair." Kokoda responded smiling. Sinclair just glared at him while Gwen and I laughed.
"Well the four of you seem to be having a good time." said a male voice from behind me. Looking over my shoulder I saw that it had been Shuichi that had spoken.
"Hey Shuichi! What are you doing here?" Kokoda asked.
Shuichi held up a bag, "Mother asked if I'd bring you your lunch since you forgot it this morning."
Smiling, Kokoda took his lunch and replied, "Thanks Shuichi."
"Hi Shuichi." Gwen said.
"Hello Gwen. I hope your first day has been going good." Shuichi replied with a smile, sitting down with the rest of us.
Sitting right beside Gwen specifically. I thought with a small smirk.
"Oh, it's been going great!" Gwen responded with a slight blush.
Sinclair noticed the blush and was about to comment on it when I stopped him. ~Don't comment on it right now Sinclair. Wait until we're home and you can talk to her alone.~
My brother looked at me out of the corner of his eye, and thought back. ~You already knew didn't you?~ He and the rest of my family were used to me talking to them telepathically on occasion so they knew how to respond back.
~Duh, of course I knew. I'm an empath remember?~
He shook his head then thought, ~Does he feel the same way about her?~
Glancing at Shuichi and Gwen, who were still talking, I gave Sinclair a barely noticeable nod.
Sinclair looked back at Gwen and Shuichi saying, "You know, it's kinda rude to ignore other people and not say hello Shuichi."
Both looking slightly embarrassed Shuichi replied, "I apologize. I didn't mean to ignore you. Hello Sinclair, Ayla. Have the two of you been having a good day as well?"
"The day's been alright for me I guess." Sinclair said.
I snorted, "Alright for him meaning he's only gotten one detention."
"Hey!" Sinclair yelled.
"Oh you know it's true Sin so chill out." I smiled at my brother.
Throwing his hands up in the air he announced, "That's it, I'm going back inside. I can't take my sisters betting on me or their sense of humor anymore." He started walking back to the school mumbling about something.
"Hey wait up Sinclair! I'll come with you!" Kokoda yelled, running to catch up to him.
"Did Sinclair just say that the two of you bet on him?" Shuichi asked with a raised eyebrow.
Gwen looked a little embarrassed at the question. "Yeah, we bet on whether or not he'd get detention on our first day of school."
"I see. And who may I ask won the bet?"
"That'd be me." I said smirking.
"You cheated somehow." Gwen pouted.
I rolled my eyes at her statement. "Oh yeah, sure. I cheated on a bet about our brother. Who I might add happens to have a history of always getting a detention on the first day of the school year or of a new school. Not to mention the fact that he gets into fights with people who are bullying others, thus getting detention that way." I sarcastically remarked with an eyebrow raised.
"Ok, ok, so you didn't cheat. But you did bet that he would get detention. Don't you have any faith in him to NOT get a detention?" Gwen replied.
Nodding I said, "Of course I do. But that doesn't mean I'm going to bet against the certainty of his past for first days."
Gwen glared at me while growling. We heard chuckling and both turned to look at Shuichi.
"Sorry, but I couldn't help but find your conversation amusing." he said smiling in amusement.
Shaking her head Gwen looked at her watch. "Darn lunch is just about over. I need to go get ready for math. See you around Shuichi." she said heading to the school.
"See you later Gwen!" he yelled back, seeing as she was almost inside. "Shouldn't you be heading inside as well?" he asked me.
"Probably, but I really don't want to look at the teachers anymore than I have to." I replied.
He got an amused smile on his face at that and was about to say something when someone yelled his name from the gate. "Shuichi!"
We both looked over to see a couple of guys headed our way. One of them was so tall he had to be around six feet. He seemed to be made of nothing but muscle. The guy was built like a damn football player. He had that type of red hair that is considered carrot-top in a hair due that for some weird reason made me think of Elvis Presley. I noticed that his eyes were black in color. He was a bit of an odd looking duck, but he looked tough as well. From what his Heart's Song was telling me, he was one of those guys that may look tough on the outside but is actually a real big softie.
The other guy looked about five inches shorter than his friend. His black hair was slicked back with gel, which I found interesting. Back in America if I saw a guy with gel in his hair it was usually to make it all spiky and weird looking. His eyes were brown and the look in them was a cocky one. He was a handsome enough guy, that is if you were into the whole cocky punk kind of guy. His Heart's Song told me he was a good guy at heart though a bit of a dimwit. They were both wearing t-shirts, jeans, and jackets. I take it they're friends of Shuichi's.
As they got closer I noticed that their energy was different. The carrot-top guy's energy felt like Grandma Genkai's, while the black haired one's felt more like Shuichi's. Now this is weird. Back in America I was lucky to find one person with different energy within a year's time. But I've only been in Japan for a week and in the last two days I've found four people with energy different from normal people.
As they got to us they noticed me standing next to Shuichi. They must have thought that Shuichi was alone.
"Uh, didn't mean to interrupt your talk man, but we kinda need to talk to Shuichi." said the guy with slicked hair.
I growled, "I'm a girl you dumbass."
"What?!" he yelped.
"Then how come you're wearing the guys' uniform and not the girls'?" the carrot-top asked.
"Cause I'm not too fond of skirts in the first place and I'll be damned if I wear one that's short everyday." I stated.
"And here I was just about to ask you about that." Shuichi said.
"These two friends of yours Shuichi?" I asked.
He nodded and said to his friends, "Why don't you two introduce yourselves?" The two of them nodded and grinned at me.
"Name's Yusuke Urameshi." said the slick haired guy.
"And I'm Kazuma Kuwabara, at your service!" the carrot-top said.
I smiled at them, "Nice to meet y'all. I'm Ayla Natura, I just moved here from America."
"America? Then how come you speak Japanese so well?" Yusuke asked.
"Gee, maybe the fact that my dad is Japanese has something to do with it?" was my sarcastic reply. Yusuke looked annoyed with how I answered him which I found amusing and smirked.
"So Ayla, how do you know Shuichi?" Kuwabara asked.
I looked up at him and answered, "My family and I moved into the house next to his so we're neighbors."
"Oh."
Yusuke snorted, "That the best you can come up with Kuwabara? Talk about lame."
"Shut up Urameshi!" Kuwabara yelled.
"Yusuke, Kuwabara could you two please not fight right now?" Shuichi asked.
"Does anyone call you by your first name? Cause I just noticed that these two called you by your last name." I asked still looking at Kuwabara.
"Nah, the only ones that call me by my first name are my sister and Yukina." he replied.
I blinked in confusion. Who the hell is Yukina?
"Yukina is a friend of ours." Shuichi supplied.
I nodded in understanding.
"By the way, shouldn't your lunch be ending soon?" Shuichi asked.
My eyes widened, "Shit that's right. Damn now I have to deal with those asshole teachers again."
Both Yusuke and Kuwabara started laughing. "You hate school Ayla?" Yusuke asked smirking.
"No I don't hate school. I hate the assumptions people make about you based solely on how you dress, speak, or act instead of waiting until they get to know you. That's the only thing I hate about school." I responded. I blinked for a moment before adding, "Well that, the girls' uniform, and math anyway."
Kuwabara asked, "Math your worst subject?"
I snorted, "More like my worst enemy. Back in America my parents hired a tutor to help me with it. And even then I barely passed it. Now that we've moved I'm going to have to find another one if I want to pass math."
"Hey Shuichi, you're always tutoring me for math, think you could take on another?" Kuwabara asked Shuichi.
I looked at Shuichi, hoping he'd say that he'd help tutor me.
Shuichi put a hand to his chin and thought for a few moments. "Hmm. Well, I don't see why not." he said.
"Awesome! Thanks so much Shuichi!" I said with a big grin.
He smiled in response, "Kuwabara comes over around four-thirty, so why don't you come over at that time too?"
"Sure thing. I'll have to let Gwen and Sinclair know that I won't be able to help them at that time though." I answered.
With an eyebrow raised Yusuke asked, "Help who, with what?"
"My older siblings with their history. We made a deal a few years ago. I'd help with history, Gwen would help with science, and Sinclair would help with english. Uh, the writing part not the language." I decided to add that last part since I remembered that here when you take english, you're taking the language English.
"If they're older than you why the hell are you helping them with their history?"
"Cause I'm what you'd call a history nerd."
"Really? Is that why you picked that book?" Shuichi asked.
"Yep to both. Back when I lived in America I was taking history college courses. Which reminds me...I gotta see if I can find a college or university that'll let me take courses here too." I got distracted from that train of thought when I heard the bell ring. "Shit! I'm gonna be late for my next class! It was nice to meet you both Yusuke and Kazuma. Thanks for offering to tutor me Shuichi. I gotta go now. Later gators!" I ran to the school, trying to not be any later than I was already going to be.
My next class after lunch was writing. Which is basically what english is in America. Turns out we were working on poetry today which made me smile. Poetry was the only part of writing that I found not just easy but enjoyable. It was also the only part of writing that Sinclair didn't have to help me with. That class ended and it was time for gym or P.E., or whatever the hell they called it here in Japan.
I found it a bit odd that they had gym completely separated by gender. I mean sure back in America they had sports teams that were for only one gender or the other and all, but not the warm-ups. Here in Japan it turned out that everything for gym was separated gender wise. Well to each their own. Although it'd be to each country their own in this case.
There was the usual warm-up routine of stretches, sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, and running laps. After everyone was done warming up we were told that we'd be playing dodge ball. I smiled, dodge ball was one of my favorite things about gym. My smile faltered a little when I saw the evil looks some of the girls were throwing my way.
Why are they looking at me like that? I wondered worriedly. Eyes widening I realized why. Oh hell. I'm the new kid so that means that I'm automatically the target. How the hell did I manage to forget that? And the fact that I haven't been wearing the 'right' uniform has made the bullseye on my back that much bigger. I sighed, shaking my head then smirked. Well they're gonna find out quickly that actually hitting me with the ball is easier said than done.
I've always been quick on my feet ever since I was little. And since I was teased and bullied when I was younger I'd learned to run and dodge a hell of alot faster. Though being fast didn't always help me out since I also happen to be a total klutz.
We separated into teams and started playing. I kept dodging everything they threw at me until I was the only one left. By that time all the girls were beyond frustrated.
What happened next completely took me by surprise. The moment the teacher left the gym for something, every single one of them (even the girls whose team I was on) grabbed a ball and started trying to hit me. I don't believe this! I mean I knew they didn't like me, but this is ridiculous!
If later someone had asked me how I managed to dodge all of the balls that were being thrown at me I would have told them I had absolutely no clue.
Here's what the weird thing was, as I was dodging I noticed that everything looked like it was moving in slow motion. What the hell is going on? I realized I was moving almost as if I was dancing. Yet I felt like I was in the middle of a fight. It was the strangest feeling and yet...it felt so natural. Because it felt natural I decided not to question it right now. Seeing as how it was keeping me from becoming one gigantic bruise.
The teacher came back in, saw what was happening, and blew her whistle. Hearing the whistle the girls stopped throwing the balls and I stopped moving. However, I didn't relax just in case one of the girls wanted to try and hit me even with the teacher there. I could feel my blood pumping in my veins in a way that I never had before. What is this? For some reason I feel so much more alive than I normally do.
The teacher had the girls line up to lecture them about their actions and told me to go ahead and shower so I could get ready for my next class. I was so confused with trying to figure out what was going on with me that I didn't even think about not doing what I'd been told. I showered, put my uniform back on, and headed to my last class.
Art was my second favorite subject. I found it to be relaxing and enjoyable, usually anyways. But when I stepped into the classroom I nearly gagged. For some reason the smells of the art supplies had intensified immensely. Great now my sense of smell has gone haywire?
Trying to ignore the smells I looked around and noticed something else was different, aside from my sense of smell. Anywhere I looked everything was clearer, more distinct, and the colors were brighter, sharper. Whoa, this is amazing. But why is this happening all of a sudden? I have to tell Grandma Genkai about this when I see her. While I thought that I sat down.
Class started a few minutes later when the teacher came in. By the time class ended an hour later I had a massive headache. I feel like I just got hit in the head with a sledge hammer. Bet this headache is because my senses decided to go into freak out mode.
I went to my locker finding Gwen at hers as well. Turned out Sinclair's detention only lasted fifteen minutes. So we waited until he got out and started to head outside.
Just as we got ready to leave the school grounds Kokoda came up to us. "Hey guys, do you think we could walk home together?" he asked.
Sinclair answered, "Sure thing."
Gwen and I nodded in agreement.
Kokoda grinned, "Cool." We left and started heading home.
"By the way, I'm going to be coming over to your house at four-thirty Kokoda." I said as we walked.
"Four-thirty? Is Shuichi going to be tutoring you on math too?" Kokoda asked.
"Yeah."
"Then what about us? I totally need your help with my history homework about the Egyptians." Gwen said.
"Same here." Sinclair sighed.
"Ayla that good at history?" Kokoda inquired.
"She could teach it she's so good." was Gwen's reply.
"I'm not that good Gwen." I retorted.
"You are and you know it Ayla. So just admit it." Sinclair stated.
Grinning Kokoda said, "I could use some help with what Mr. Lee assigned us Ayla." Looking at Gwen and Sinclair he asked, "Either of you any good at writing or science? I'm not sure I got some of what our teachers said."
"If you want help with science, I'm the one you need." Gwen stated with a smile.
"Writing is my forte. So I'm your man." Sinclair grinned.
"So then you should all three come over. That way we can all help each other out. Well you three can help out anyways. The only thing I'm good at is computers." Kokoda said.
"Then can you help me with this program my teacher assigned my class to design? I understood the basics, but some of the details didn't make too much sense." Sinclair asked.
"Sure, no problem Sinclair." Kokoda replied.
"Well this works out nicely now doesn't it? We can all help each other with something we have trouble with. Good thing we're neighbors." I said with a laugh.
"Yeah, you said it." Gwen agreed.
The boys nodded in agreement.
We continued on our way home to face the arch nemesis of all students...homework.