Gakkou

[yuki_tenshi]

*The first thing Aki wanted to do was hit anyone who got in her path. Fortunately for the reporter good manners kept her hands firmly at her sides. Aki pursed her lips as the reporter tried sweetly to ask her what happened. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she assessed the reporter. He squirmed.*

Aki, causitously: We were taken to someplace by aliens...

*The reporter looked unbelieving at Aki.*

Reporter: That tall guy said the exact same thing. Maybe they were abducted by aliens? But no... Are you--

Aki: Having a hard time believing me Mr. Reporter?

*The reporter stepped back at the look Aki gave him. It wasn't anything hostile, really. It was just a blank piercing stare from her silver eyes. Her lips quirked into a little smile with no humor.*

Reporter: Ahhh...no...it's just...I believe you. I mean can you tell me more about the aliens? *For a split second the reporter swore he saw amusement in the little kitsune.*

Aki: Beautiful...the place and inhabitants were beautiful...and very bright.

Reporter: And their concept of time is different from us...

*Aki stopped and stared quizzically at the reporter. He really believed them.*

Aki: You really believe that there's something more to our story don't you?

*The reporter nods. Aki gives a small smile but it was real. Flecks of red started appearing in her silver eyes. The reporter was aptly mesmerized at the dual colors in Aki's eyes. It wasn't supposed to change like that, right? No wonder that big guy fell for this girl.*

Aki: I'm sorry I can't tell you more. I don't understand everything yet...so I can't say anything. I have to go to school Mr. Reporter. See you next time. *Without giving the reporter time to reply or protests she twirls around and heads to the school building.*

----

*When Aki stepped into the building she felt bad. Not like feeling sick but as if something around you was wrong. Which was weird since everything seemed normal, the sun was brightly shining through the large glass window opposite her and several students were milling and talking before class started. A sudden crash made her press into the wall crouching. She was in an upright fetal position when she felt something, several somethings hit her arms. Screams from female students echoed in the hallways as several frantic footsteps followed. Aki slowly untangled from her position. The first thing she noticed was that the large window opposite her was broken, little shards dangled on the remaining pieces while some were scattered on the floor. Next was that her arms felt prickly, she looked at them and saw several tiny shards embedded in them, dust and debris covered her. The pain hadn't registered yet, she was still sitting there when she noticed the large rock near her foot, it had red marks on it and upon closer inspection the marks were words made from red paint. And they were a racial slur against kitsunes.*

Student: Miss! Are you alright? *She was human with brown eyes and brown hair.*

-----------

*Kimara and Selene perked up when they heard a crash.*

Kimara: What was that?

Selene: Something broke, I think.

Kimara, standing up: We should go see what it is, someone might be hurt.

Daiki: Are you sure Kimara?

Kimara: Yes... *Kimara was determined but she bowed down her head anyway. She wanted to help others, always did and she couldn't ignore someone who was hurt. She hurried out of the clubroom with a first aid kit and the others behind her.*

Selene: Look, over there! *Pointing to the crowd.* The window's broken, that must be what we heard. Ah! Sujiro-kun! *A boy a little bit shorter than Selene nodded with a blush. He had black hair and light brown eyes.*

Sujiro: Ah, Selene-chan...what can I do for you?

Selene: Can you tell me what happened?

Sujiro, nodding: Uh sure...this girl was walking when suddenly somebody threw a rock and smashed the window. We're not sure if it's an accident or deliberate...she's just sitting there dazed, looking at a large rock with markings. She's not speaking. We tried to get her to the school clinic but she just wouldn't budge.

Selene: Ah...Kimara can help, she brought her first aid kit.

Sujiro: OKay, *Sujiro turned around and told the crowding students to give way. Like the red sea the people parted leaving enough space to walk through. And see through. Daiki cursed and rushed to the middle of the crowd followed closely by a worried Kimara and Selene then Kunikida. The girl beside Aki moved away when Daiki and Kimara knelt beside her.*

Daiki, whispering furiously: What the hell happened?

*Aki turned her head to stare at him. Wide blank eye met his green ones. She handed him the large rock and Daiki read it, cursed and smashed the rock on the floor. The crowd gasped as the rock was nothing more than a handful of dust and the floor now had an indention and a crack. Everyone except Kimara and Aki backed up a step, there was a raw anger eminating from the other kitsune and it warned others not to come close.*

*Kimara began picking out the shards in her arms and only then did she realize that it hurt. She winced twice before biting her lower lip. Blood oozed out from the little wound but Kimara was a quick worker and in just a minute or two both her arms were bandaged from her palms to halfway her biceps. The fingers that had slices were wrapped in several band aids.*

[oldwrench]

*Mike head the commotion going on in the school, he was at one end of the hallway, and whatever happened was in the opposite hallway. Mike got up and opened the door to see what was happening, a group of students were around someone, and a window was broken. Mike was about to close the door when he saw Kimara, Selene, Kunikida and Daiki come in. The crowd parted and on the floor was........ Aki! Mike stepped through the door, he was ready to rush to the her, but....... he'd been ordered not to go near her....... The door cracked where Mike gripped it, He had to go to her, but he couldn't. Mike went outside, someone had thrown that rock, he was going to find out who. There was a group of students by the broken window, someone had to have seen who, he'd force them to tell......*

*As Mike approached the group, Principal Shin came out the door, he told the students to get ready for their classes, that things here were being taken care of. Mike noticed that the school nurse was ushering Aki and Kimara toward the infirmary. Soon the students were all heading for their lockers and classrooms, no chance to find out who did this. Mike stood and watched the students enter the school. He had to see Aki, to know if she was alright....... but he couldn't. It just wasn't fair. Dejected, Mike started toward his classroom, first Aki's father orders him to stay away from Aki, then this happens to her........ could the day get any worse??*

*The reporter was about to leave when he heard the commotion at the school . He went back to investigate. He stood back and watched what was going on....... well, nothing to concern him really. There was the big kid, maybe he could....... no, seems classes are about to start. Sighs, might as well head back. He was passing the club rooms, and one door was open, he just happened to look in......... Whoa, what's going on here. The reporter stepped inside, this is quite a mess. Looks like someone doesn't like this club. The reporter took out his camera and snapped some pictures. Looks like I might just have to sick around a while.*

*Can things get any worse????? maybe.*

[oldwrench]

*Mike walked down the hall, still trying to get over his anger. Nothing had gone right since he got up this morning. First Kelly was irritable, then Kyo had ordered him to leave, now Aki was hurt, and he couldn't even go to her. Mike saw Diaki at his locker, and it just made him burn a bit more inside, that possession spell he had on Aki...... What was with those damn kitsune males, did they think they owned the women? Daiki started to open his locker, just as Mike walked up.*

*A big hand slammed into Daiki's locker door, as Mike's shadow loomed over the kitsune.*

Mike growled: Get out of here, Daiki..... get out now!

Daiki backed up a step: Hey! What the hell are you........

Mike turned hard cold eyes on Daiki: Get out, get everyone out, before someone gets hurt.

*Daiki backed up another step, he saw the frightening look in Mike's eyes, and the slight glow of the amulet under his shirt. He'd seen that look twice before, and both times someone died. Daiki didn't know what had gotten into Mike, but there were to many students here to have it out with the big guy. He had to clear the hall. Daiki reached over and pulled the fire alarm. In a few moments pandemonium broke out as the alarm bell sounded and students rushed to get out of the building.*

Daiki: I don't know what your problem is, but if you want to have it out with me, I'll........

Mike: I told you to get out Daiki, unless you want to die too.

*Mike was staring at the end of a piece of string caught deep in the crack of the door. He'd seen the string disappearing into the crack as Daiki opened the locker door. If he let go of the door, it might........ *

Mike: I hope to hell I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure there's a bomb in here....... Call the police, the bomb squad.... but I don't think there's a way to keep it from going off now.

Daiki's eyes got big: Are you sure, your not just joking or something. *Mike just nodded* Daiki backed away, Alright, I'll get help. There must be something they can do.

*Mike watched Daiki go. He knew more about bombs and boobie traps than anyone in school. Who could tell, the contact could be hundredths of a millimeter from setting the thing off. Any change could set the bomb off, and there wasn't much you could do about it. The string was to far in to get hold of. Mike tried to think of a way, magic wouldn't help here. Maybe he could punch a hole in the door, but that would surely set it off. Ya, Mike thought, I guess the day did get worse.*

[oldwrench]

*In the crowd of students outside the school, Daiki found his friends. Kimara hugged Daiki, she'd been worried when she hadn't found him.*

Kimara: I was worried when I couldn't fine you, Daiki-kun. Do you know what happened?

Selene: Yes, Daiki, I saw you and Mike, I saw you pull the alarm........ What's going on.

Daiki: Ya.... Ah, Mike thinks there's a bomb in a locker.... my locker. He stopped me from opening the door, but he's afraid if he lets go of the door, the bomb might go off.

*Aki looked shocked, she started tor the school building, but Daiki stepped in front to her.*

Daiki: Don't Aki, you can't go in there. If Mike's right , that bomb could go off any....... Ah... They called the bomb squad, maybe they can do something.

[oldwrench]

*Mike couldn't see a way out. Maybe the string wouldn't slip if he let go....... maybe.... But, If he dived for the floor as he let go, and the bomb wasn't to big, maybe he'd survive. Maybe the bomb squad could....... no, someone would get hurt. Mike looked at the string down in the gap along the door, he'd have to take a dive and chance it. Then he turned as he heard a voice from down the hall.*

Reporter: Well, look who's here.... What are you doing in here kid?

Mike: I should ask you that. Do you have a death wish or something?

Reporter: Na, actually I came here to talk to you, and your girlfriend, but with all the alarms and commotion, and no smoke, I thought I'd take a look.

Mike: Well If you don't get out, smoke might be the last thing you see.......... There's a bomb in in here.

Reporter: Ah...... and what makes you think that?

Mike: I saw the trigger string, it almost disappeared into the locker before I got the door shut, but now it's down in where I can't do anything about it. I'm afraid if I let go, it might be enough to set it off. I was just about to try to dive under it as I let go.

Reporter: Don't be so hasty, you don't know how big an explosive might be in there. *He looked at the end of the string down in the crack.* We have to try to get hold of that string.

*The reporter pulled out a pocket knife and slipped the blade into the crack. He tried to hold the end of the string.*

Reporter: This isn't going to do, we don't know how strong a spring they might have on the contacts. Damn, it's to close to get any pliers in there. We need something to pull on that string while you let up on the door.

Mike: Wait, that's a Swiss Army knife, does it have a straight pin? *The reporter nodded.* Good, take it out and try bending the point into a hook, then give it to me.

*The reporter did what Mike said. It was a good idea, use the pin to try to hook the string. But he looked at Mike, the big kid was sweating, and his hands weren't steady. He knew Mike was scared.*

Reporter: I'll handle this, kid. You don't look any to steady right now. *He worked the Pin in.* Ah, got it, I'll have to be careful not to pull it to far, you never know how well they built the trigger, wouldn't want to break it, ease up on the door slowly.

Mike: You sound like you've had experience at this.

Reporter: Well, you might say that, I was an explosives expert with the army, had a little training with boobie traps........... Ah, now just hope the string doesn't unravel....... or I won't get my interview.

*Both held there breath as the door slowly opened.*

[oldwrench]

*Kelly pulled the car up to the school and sighed. She thought she was going to have a couple days off...... till this happened. When her security people called her about the alarm, she'd hurried over. Kelly searched the crowd of students for the group of friends she knew. She spotted Daiki and Kunikida, and that tall girl and pushed though the crowd.*

Kelly: Kunikida, what's going on......... where's Hideki......

Kunikida: Mike thinks there's a bomb..... in Daiki's locker. The bomb squads here, maybe they can do something about it.

Kelly: Damn, that's just great...... who'd have planted a bomb in..... *Kelly noticed Aki's bandaged arms.* Good lord, Aki, what happened to you? And.... *Kelly looked around.* and where's Mike?


*The reporter pulled back slowly on the string and held it as the door opened. They both breathed a sigh of relief when the door was fully open. Mike pulled a tab off a box and stuck it between the contacts of the detonator. Mike leaned back against the wall and slid to the floor. All the emotional energy of the last day had left him burned out. The reporter sat on the floor next to him.*

Reporter: Good thing you caught that one. It might be a crude pipe bomb, but it's easily enough to kill whoever opened that locker. I was hoping to talk to you and your girlfriend when you arrived this morning, but you didn't look like you would want to say much, Shat happened, were the military people that rough on you?

Mike, looked at the reporter: No, Kelly just gave me a ride to my apartment. They didn't do anything....... It's just.... nobody believes us, they want you to tell the truth, and when you do they act like you're lying. Her dad won't let me talk to her, I don't know what he thinks we would be doing for those seven hours, we weren't gone that long.

Reporter: Ah, well don't be to hard on her dad, dads get that way when their little girls start going out with some boy..... He'll get over it.......... But I believe you, I saw the clock and timer from the plane. I'd like to ask you about that. Where were you for those fifteen or so minutes while they spent seven hours looking for you? Did you get to see the aliens? Were they the Grey guys with big eyes like other people have seen?

Mike: Na, it wasn't like that at all, it was my mom, she wanted to tell us something so......

Two bomb squad members came in: Hey.... What are you guys doing in here? There's a bomb in here somewhere, you could get hurt.

Reporter laughs: Yup, it's in this locker, a pipe bomb. There's a piece of cardboard in the contacts, but you better disarm it before you move it.

*The squad member looked in the locker with his flash light and whistled.*

Squad: good thing that cardboard is in there, somebody could have been killed by that thing. You guys better get out of here.

Mike walked off: Ya, good thing the paper's in there.

Reporter: Hey, ah, Mike.... So you just visited your mom? I mean, so it wasn't aliens or anything..... damn. Damn, so this turns out to be nothing anyway, crap, there goes my story.

Mike: My mom, well, she is an alien, I mean, I am to.

Reporter: Ya, I guessed you weren't Japanese, I figured you're probably American. But how'd you get the timer changed then?

Mike: No, I mean alien, aliens. I didn't know it till yesterday, where I was from........ I'm an Aesir. We didn't change anything, mom took us to Asgard, time runs slower there, that's why we were gone so long.

*The reporter stopped in his tracks as Mike walked out the door.......... Asgard?? But that's just in old myths..... isn't it? What kind of BS is the kid trying to feed him now? Aren't the Aesir guys supposed to be gods in the myths? Him, an Aesir...... he's gotta be kidding........ but... The reporter remembered Mike, and some other school kids had been there when those people were freed from that "Rest Home" and the place had burned down. A police friend of his had told him the kids had gotten the people out, and lightning struck from a clear sky. Also, an informer told him about that gang hideout that had been raided. He said it was some high school kids, with magic, and a tall blond boy who took out a light tank with one punch. Could he really be??? Damn, he'd have to stick with this, there might be more here than just another aliens story.*

[oldwrench]

*Mike stepped out into the crowd of students. He answered the any questions by telling them the bomb squad had things under control. Mike searched the crowd for one person, he couldn't see her till some of the students moved. Mike saw Aki..... he saw the bandages on her arms, and he felt terrible, He should have kept her from being hurt, he shouldn't have let her here alone, but he was ordered to stay away. Mike wanted, so badly, to hold Aki and tell her how sorry he was that she'd been hurt, but he couldn't. Aki looked at Mike, she could see the longing and hurt there, but Mike didn't see any brightness in her eyes, just a dull gray tint to her crimson eyes. Mike took a step in her direction, but stopped, the smoldering anger, that Mike had buried away burst into flame again when he saw Daiki step up next to Aki........... Luckily, it cooled somewhat when Kimara moved next to Daiki, and the kitsune boy put his arm around the pretty dog girl. Mike pushed the anger back down, he just couldn't shake it though. Mike had just wanted today to be a normal day....... if they were ever allowed such a thing...... But instead, Kelly had been extra grouchy, Kyo had been unreasonable, Aki had been hurt, and now, someone had tried to bomb the school, maybe kill Daiki. Was someone trying to attack their club, or were they attacking the kitsunes? Things couldn't get worse, could they? Then Mike spotted Kelly....... ya, things could get worse. Mike sighed.*

Kunikida spotted Mike: Selene, there's Mike, maybe we should go tell him what happened to the clubroom.

Selene held Kunikida's hand: Maybe we should wait......... There's something wrong, something that's keeping he and Aki apart, something that is bothering both of them very much. I don't think now is a good time.

*Selene was somewhat empathic, she had always been able to feel the emotions of some people. She knew that Mike was one person she could read very well. Right now she knew that there was a strong anger hidden under his longing for Aki. It was like the anger she'd felt when she told them where Aki's kidnappers were, but there was something different. This time the anger felt bottled up, like Mike had no where to release it. She was afraid it was just like the bomb, ready to explode.*

*Kelly saw Mike, she was relieved that he was alright, Daiki had told her what was going on, but she still felt irritated. She knew it wasn't Mike's fault, but she would have liked that time off, and she was really tired. And she was worried that Hideki and Rina weren't there. She knew it wasn't Mike's fault....... she'd have to try hard not to be too bitchy.*

[oldwrench]

*Mike walked over to his group of friends. He tried his best to smile for Aki. Mike didn't want her to be upset, he just wanted things to be normal, and fun for her. This wasn't her fault, she shouldn't be unhappy....... Kelly stepped in front of Mike, she was relieved he was alright, but........

Kelly, sharply: What's going on here Mike? What did you get into this time? Damn it. Are you trying to get killed or something.

*Mike looked down at Kelly, the anger resurfaced. He hadn't "gotten into" anything, he hadn't done anything wrong. None of this was his fault........ It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair that she was angry with him. The dark anger burned in his eyes as he clenched his fists, trying to keep it in check.*

Mike: Maybe I should have ignored the trigger? Maybe it would have been better if I just hadn't noticed it, then you'd just have some dead students to deal with. Maybe that would be easier for you. Sorry for taking up your time....Mam.... Sorry for being here, sorry for messing up everyone's lives, *Mike turned and walked off.* Sorry for being alive.

Kelly: Wait, Mike..... I didn't mean.......... *Kelly tried to grab Mike's arm, she might as well tried to stop a freight train. Mike was in no mood to stop.*


*The reporter watched the tall boy walk over to his friends. He thought, if Mike grew his blond hair long, and you dressed him in leather and gave him a sword and shield, he's look like one of those "Asgard gods" from the legends. He laughed, gods?.... ya, right. The reporter saw the military woman, who had been there the night before. Hmmm, he's noticed her with that group of students at that rest home too. He wondered what connection she had with those kids. She looked familiar, for some reason. Oh well, he turned to leave, he'd have to try to find out more, later........ He stopped short and looked back........ Kelly!....... Ya, that's her. But she was Navy, back then, and she wears her hair different, but....... His memory wondered back, it had been several years ago, he and a couple Army buddies had been on leave, cruising the bars, looking for some action. They had run into three pretty Navy girls, on the same mission. It had been a good night, and they had gotten together with the girls a couple more times. Damn, he remembered, Kelly had been fun, and intelligent, and one hell of a hot looking girl. But then there had been some incident at an "officers party", he'd heard from one of the other girls, there had been a big mess, Kelly had been in a lot of trouble, even up for court marshal, but someone straightened it all out, then Kelly just disappeared, transferred, they told him. The reporter notice the exchange between Kelly and Mike, and saw Mike clench his fists........ Maybe he should go help Kelly......... But..... maybe not, from what Kelly's friend had told him, she'd taken out a half dozen officers before she and her friends got out of that "party". She was one girl who could take care of herself. He started to walk away..... He'd have to find a way to get together with Kelly again, there was too much he wanted to find out, and besides......... He wondered if Kelly remembered him, they'd been really good together.......... back then.


*Selene watched Mike walk off, she grabbed Kunikida's arm.*

Selene: Kunikida-kun, Mike's going to go into the club room........ I think, umm, that could be a bad thing.... right now.

Kunikida looked toward the clubroom: Oh crap, this can't be good.

Kelly: What? What do you mean? What's going on now?

[oldwrench]

*But where were Rina and Hideki?? ...... earlier that morning.*

*A figure hid behind a large tree along the path through the park. He watched the young couple coming, they came this way every day. He tightened his grip on the gun in his hand. He's have to take out Hideki first, the boy was too fast, it would take some time for the girl to use her magic, he'd have time to kill her before she could use it. He hid behind the tree and waited......... then stepped out and squeezed the trigger.......*

*Rina grabbed Hideki. He was frozen in place, staring straight ahead. They weren't in the park, they were in a very large, and extremely ornate room. In front of them stood a very tall woman, taller than even Aki's mother. She was dressed in beautiful flowing cloths, her long blond hair fell around her shoulders, and she smiled at them with bright blue eyes. Hideki had a sudden feeling that he he should know her.*

Sif: Ah, you're alright, I was afraid I might be to late, time move so quickly on Midgard. You must be more vigilant, children, there are some that seek your death. It would sadden me to see such friends of my son come to harm. And also, both of you will be important to mankind when the war reaches Midgard, your earth. Now I must send you back, before too much time has gone. *The amulet in Sif's hand glowed as she made a gesture with her hands.*

*The figure stood, shocked, they had been right in front of him when he pulled the trigger.......... but there was nothing there! Even if the elf girl had made them invisible somehow, Hideki would be dead. What could have happened???? they just weren't there....... He quickly hid the gun in his coat and hurried off through the trees. This was just supposed to be a quick clean hit, what was going on here?*

*Hideki wrapped his arms around Rina. What the hell just happened? They were back in the park, right where they had been. But, there had been someone who had jumped out from behind that tree, someone with a gun, and he wasn't here now. And that woman????? Was that some kind of dream? What was going on? What war?*

*Rina held Hideki, she'd seen the man fire the gun, and her emotions had hardly had time to register the fact when everything had changed. That woman..... she said her son's friends?...... Mike.... she looked just like him, she must be Mike's mother. But who was she? And where was she? Midgard, that name seemed familiar..... where had she heard that? Rina had a lot of questions to ask Mike.*

*Hideki pulled away, he told Rina they had better get on to school or they would be late. They didn't know that more than an hour had passed.*

[Zeratul2k]

* Hideki and Rina turned around a corner and immediately noticed the emergency and press vehicles in and around the school. *

Hideki: Man... what now?

* The two of them tried to walk into the school without getting noticed but Kelly saw them and went towards them, stopping in front of them. *

Kelly: So you finally show again, Mr...

* Hideki looked up at her. She seemed angry for some reason. He looked at Rina and told her to keep going, he would catch up in a moment. *

Hideki: So, what happened her--

Kelly: Where have you been? Why haven't you answered any of our calls?

Hideki: What calls? The phone hasn't rang.

* Kelly murmured something and before Hideki could do anything she took the phone from his bag and looked at it. She then looked at her clock and to the phone again, noticing the time difference. *

Kelly: Did you change the time?

Hideki: No, why?

Kelly: ... Where have you been?

* Hideki explained what happened before at the park, suspecting Kelly wouldn't believe him. To his surprise though, she seemed to calm down. She returned the phone and started walking away. *

Hideki: Kelly?

Kelly: Gotta go do some research. You just about confirmed a big maybe.

Hideki: ... what?

* Hideki stood confused in the school entrance, watching Kelly walk away. A few meters away, mixed in the crowd, a couple of students from a school of the other side of town looked at Hideki. *

Boy 1: Are you sure he's the one? He looks so... weak.

Girl 1: Shut your mouth! He's the only one that's ever beaten Noyamano-sama in a fair fight.

Boy 1: I still think he looks weak.

* A second, taller girl walked up to them without being noticed and touched their shoulders. The two of them turned around and immediately stiffened and looked down. *

Boy 1: Noyamano-sama! I'm sorry, I said too much!

Ringo: Don't be fooled by his appearance. Remember what Sun-Tzu once said: "simulated weakness postulates strength".

* Ringo looked at Hideki and sighed, then turned around. *

Ringo: Let's go. We'll come back after class.