Disclaimer: I don't own Clannad or any of its related materials except for my OCs.

Clannad – The Light In Your Heart

…Of New Beginnings

That girl… I could not help but stare at that girl…

Her features so familiar… yet the thoughts are so far…

The light outside is bright once more… but inside it's like a darkness clouds my mind…

Who is this girl...? Who am I…?

Just what is this world…?

And so with Aaron's first day of his new school over and wit the afternoon now upon him it finally gave him the chance to check out some of the many clubs that the school offered.

As he did walk the halls he could occasionally pick up the whispers and saw the peripheral looks of other students who seemed to be gossiping about his deeds on the school field.

Most of them were those claiming him to be a hero who stood up to bullies which all in all seemed to form the majority opinion, but a minority called him wild and reckless for what he did.

All in all Aaron had never really been one for rumors and gossip. Sure in his old school as he walked the halls to and from his classes he would always hear the whispers of students at their lockers congregating and even in the bathrooms people would talk on and on about what they heard.

At the end of the day Aaron never cared. He did what he thought was right; sure he could admit it was a bit reckless to challenge thugs who were carrying dangerous objects and trying to run him over with motor bikes.

But even he admitted he felt a bit miffed when people seemed to have an issue with that. But Aaron chocked that up to the fact that in many ways he had an idea that Japan mostly had a culture of people keeping to themselves, so either or…

He didn't care…

As he walked he passed by one room and to his honest surprise he spotted what seemed to be a lone piano keyboard sitting there. Aaron went inside and touched some of the keys.

Sitting down he could feel memories rush back to him and setting his bag to the side he took at seat and placed his hands upon the keyboard deciding, "Eh, one little song couldn't hurt right?"

After testing a few of the keys to see if they worked properly Aaron finally got in the spirit and played on one of his favorite tunes when he was learning, 'Healing Waters.'

It was a song most personal to him. He was taught by his favorite music teacher back in America during a time when Aaron was not at his highest but hearing his teacher play this for him one day after class in many a way washed away those feelings.

It started him down a path that little had he known would bring him here all the way across the Pacific and to the hometown of his mother.

Sure in some ways the move even now was still a bit of a shock that he couldn't deny, but yet for some reason when his mother told him they were moving Aaron had to confess there was some kind of… nostalgia welded up inside him.

A nostalgia that for some reason he could recall by memory, but even know as he plays there is… something. Something that seems to slowly, but surely pull at him.

Music was always one of those things that brough him joy and peace in those few moments he played. It was only him, just him and the sound of flowing notes one at a time.

Finally just as he finished Aaron was surprised to hear someone applauding him; he looked over to see that it was a female student with indigo blue hair and similarly colored eyes. Aaron flushed in embarrassment as he realized this girl had to have been watching him the whole time.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, but when I heard someone playing I couldn't help but notice. This is the Choir clubroom but I never expected someone to be here at this time. Oh, but where are my manners I'm Nishina Rie, it's nice to meet you." Nishina said with a slight bow.

Aaron got up and did the same, "Y-yeah, I'm Carter Aron, I just transferred here from America just a few months back. This is actually my first day here."

"Oh, you're from America? I've always wanted to go and visit there. I've always loved the amazing music that's been made from American composers." Nishina said.

"Yeah, I have to agree I think music is one of my favorite things. It's something I use to help clear my head and just forget about all of the bad things in life." Aaron replied.

"Yes, music truly is beautiful like that. I actually wanted to transfer to America myself and learn to play there, but I…" Nishina's voice seemed to drop off.

"No, please if it's something you'd rather not recall don't force yourself." Aaron said in a comforting tone.

"No, it's alright. It was a long time ago anyway. So you said this is your first day right Carter-san?" Nishina inquired.

"Yes, actually. I heard this place had a variety of clubs so I was just looking around until I saw this keyboard sitting here. It reminded me of when I was learning to play piano growing up so in a way I couldn't help myself." Aaron answered.

"I see, then I suppose we both have a shared love of music. Did the idea of choir club interest you by chance?" Nishina offered.

"Oh, no I was actually still looking around at other clubs I was just walked in here on a whim is all. I apologize for the confusion." Aaron said with a sheepish grin.

"Oh no, if anything I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. But if you're ever want to join me and my other friends are always here after class." Nishina replied.

"I'll remember that. Thank you for the offer Nishina." Aaron thanked her. "Is it just you today though Nishina?"

"Yes, unfortunately. One of ours members Sugisaka unfortunately caught a cold today and couldn't make it. We have one other member to a friend of mine by the name of Harada. I've known them since last year and we planned on forming this club together." Nishina explained.

"I see, well I promise I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the offer." Aaron said gratefully.

"Since the day is over Carter-san, shall we walk together if you don't mind?" Nishina offered.

"Oh, but of course." Aaron accepted and the two left the clubroom and began walking down the pathway together.

"So what exactly made you come here to this school in particular?" Nishina asked.

"You see my mother grew up and went to school here. A few years back my Dad, had an… accident. So eventually my mother decided to come and live here again. I don't know why be she insisted we come back here. I can see why, this town at this time of day seems so… beautiful." Aaron said.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your tragedy. I apologize. But as you said yes the sunset here in Hikarizaka is absolutely wonderful. These cherry blossoms accentuate that beauty even more I must say." Nishina said as the quiet wind blew off a few loose petals.

"I agree these trees are amazing. I've never seen so many in one place." Aaron said still marveling at just how many trees lined this one path from the road to the school.

Eventually both of them reached the end and seemed to go their separate ways, "Well I have to go this way to get home." Aaron said pointing down the road to the right.

"And I leave this way." Nishina replied pointing the opposite way.

"Goodbye." Both said at the same time. With that both of them began walking home. Aaron couldn't help but remember his encounter with the musical girl.

"Rie Nishina…"

"A girl who seems to love music… and just like me had some kind of accident."

"I wonder just what happened… she said she also wanted to transfer to America could that have something to do with it?"

"I just wonder…"

As his thoughts took over him Aaron eventually made it to the townhouse he and his mother were staying at.

"I'm home, mother." Aaron took off his shoes and heard a slow walking coming down the stairs.

"Oh, Aaron. How was our first day sweetie?" His mother Naomi said greeting him. Ever since his mother fell unconscious that night hearing of Aaron's accident she had been given medical leave to spend time at home and recover.

When Aaron had learned of his mother's fainting he was worried at first, but seeing her up again brought his spirits back up.

But he could tell she was not the same in some ways. Her face had seemed to grow more tight, she had lines on her forehead. It was the few signs that told Aaron that his mother had started to worry, and that her stress was getting to her.

"It was good, mother. How are you doing?" Aaron asked in return.

"I'm doing fine sweetie. Come on, you can start on your schoolwork while I make dinner." Naomi said as both of them smiled. Aaron dropped off his backpack in his room and started on his schoolwork.

His mother was in the kitchen cooking dinner as she listened to the news on the television for background noise. Eventually Aaron finished his work and like his mother simply watched TV waiting for her to finish.

It was just another day like any other in the Carter family house…

"Aaron! Dinner's ready!" Naomi called out to her son.

"Coming!" Aaron replied in kind.

Finally reaching the living room Aaron was greeted by the moderate spread of rice, salmon, pork, miso soup and pickled vegetables on the table.

"Oh, it all looks good!" Aaron smiled as he seemingly drooled at his mother's homemade cooking.

"Close your mouth son, you're drooling again." Aaron embarrassingly complied as he sat at the table.

"Thank you for the food." Both of them said grace as they began to eat at their own portions.

"So Aaron what did you think of the school?" Naomi asked.

"It was okay, the place looked amazing. The path with the cherry trees was also the best part I think." Aaron said.

"Oh yes, those trees have been there… oh I think even before me. The school has taken such great care of them. The story goes they were donated by a large family in the area. But no one really knows." Naomi explained.

"So, did you make any new friends today on your first day?" Naomi asked again.

"Yes, well I think I did." Aaron answered. "I met my class representative who goes by the name of Ryou Fujibayashi, and I met her twin sister as well who goes by Kyou."

"Oh? M boy already has friends? And two of them are girls huh?" Naomi said in a teasing voice.

"Oi, mom… it's not like that at all." Aaron got an embarrassing blush on his face he couldn't hide, "But… there was another."

"Oh? Another girl already?" Naomi said with faux surprise.

"Geez, her name is Tomoyo Sakagami, she's a grade below me. I met her on the path to school today. She's very beautiful, and she dealt with these guys who were causing problems on their bikes." Aaron recounted the events of lunch time to his mother.

"Oh my, I don't remember having that kind of trouble when I was there. I guess troublemakers are everywhere if you look straight enough. You didn't get into any trouble at all did you?" Naomi said with a worried tone.

"Well I mean uh…" Aaron seemed to not be able to find a straight answer.

"What happened?" Naomi asked as she crossed her arms.

And that was when Aaron began to recount the tale of how he saw Tomoyo go and confront the bikers. But seeing as he was never one to accept bullies picking on other people he got involved and told his mother about the "Matador" act he put on fooling one of them in process.

"And that's what happened." Aaron finished explaining.

"Well young man all I have to say is… "I'm very proud of you." Naomi replied.

"Wait, what?" Aaron asked in confusion.

"You stood up for what was right. Just like you were taught. If anything hearing you talk about it reminded me of your father. Oh, he would tell me all the time about how he'd jump into fights or pick fights with bullies who would terrorize some of the weaker students. Oh my, I loved those stories…" Naomi said a reminiscing tone.

"Dad was like that?" Aaron said again in confusion.

"Oh yes, he couldn't help but well… help people. He was a kind man, but when it came to it he could also be very brave and fierce. I guess that's what I always loved about him." Naomi replied.

"But even so, I think as a treat for what doing what was right. How about a little dessert?" Naomi said as she got up and went to the fridge. She then walked out with what a dish wrapped up.

As she unveiled it she was holding an apple pie, one of Aaron's favorite deserts, "I had so much spare time I decided to make this to celebrate your birthday. But hearing now that you've done such a good deed, I don't think it would hurt to have it early."

"Thanks Mom!" Aaron cheered. And so he enjoyed a slice of his favorite pie as he and his mother continued to talk for some time until finally the night sky was blanketing the town.

Aaron was lying in bed as he thought back to everything that had happened that day…

"Say the most amazing sight in my life…"

"Got in a fight…"

"Met some new people…"

"So many new things… and so little time…"

"I've got one year left… two whole semesters…"

"Alright Aaron… don't waste any of it!"

But unfortunately for Aaron his restlessness was still an issue he always dealt with being an energetic child. And so he decided to waste some time going through his closet and going through some old mementos of his.

Mostly pictures, baby toys, etc. He found an old photo of him playing a ring pyramid, one of him in his crib; mostly ones he had seem plenty of times hanging up around his old home.

But then he found a rather mysterious item beneath one of the boxes. Reaching in her pulled out a round, blue plush hat he couldn't seem to remember packing away…

"What is this…?" Aaron looked at the simple plushie. It was blue, some of the stitching had been pulled, and one of it's eyes was missing. As Aaron looked at the "face" of this plushie he was once again pulled at by that same feeling of nostalgia he had in the Choir Room.

Suddenly a flash of him as a child appeared in his mind. He was holding the same plush in his hands and was laughing until it stopped and he was brought back to reality.

As he held the plush in both his hands, he couldn't help but ask, "Why… do I remember you?"

AN#1 – Well welcome to the second chapter of my new Clannad story, The Light In Your Heart", in this chapter Aaron wanders the school looking for potential clubs to join until he plays a lone keyboard he finds.

Meeting a young girl by the name of Rie Nishina, he makes friends with her over their love of music and although he denies her initial offer to join he agrees to remember said offer.

Returning home, he's greeted by his mother and tells her about his first day. Happy for her son, she celebrates with his favorite dessert a little earlier then she anticipated.

As Aaron tries to go to sleep that night he finds an old toy plushie he can't seem to remember until… he does.

Just what is this plushie to him? And why can remember it, but can't at the same time?

AN#2 – I hope you guys will join me in this new story of mine. So please don't forget to leave reviews and also follow and favorite as well too!

AN#3 – Remember I wouldn't be here without you guys! Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! :)