Amnesia

A/N: Ar Tonelico. Probably my fault, I got sidetracked with the manga when I was supposed to be doing something else. >.<>____<;;;;; Nooo!! I'm not gonna copy that, but omg.. the idea is SO appealing! >A< *sighs and hangs her head* In my head, it's Aylen that's supposed to be singing, but I somehow see my main character singing, and I really need to apologize.... T____T'''''

Honestly, I can't make up my mind, so I'm just wasting time rambling here. >.>



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Amnesia
MazdaKitsune

Perhaps... not knowing her past was far less painful than knowing it at all.
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It was raining. And below her, she saw it, saw them, the sounds of a fight that echoed in the empty streets, the wet streets with splashing puddles and rain that fell like needles. Yet her expression didn't change, and neither did she move, the rain totally soaking her clothes so that it clung to her body like a second skin, but she didn't even feel the cold, what more shiver. The water that ran down her face looked like tears, maybe they were tears and she was crying, but who could tell in the rain?

It always seemed to rain now......

Jade Castero... no, Jade Cross stared out at almost nothing as she cried silently to herself, emerald eyes hidden by her bangs. Was it even possible to have her heart broken twice? Because it almost seemed that way. Today was the day she lived again, and the second time that her heart broke, but for totally different reasons this time. Today was the day she had regained her memories, and it had been absolutely painful. Even more painful than being dismembered, or torn apart by demons. Even the pain of death couldn't compare to this. A small bitter smile curled her lips. Curiosity killed the cat, they said. And it had definitely killed her now. She had been too curious for her own good. Someone had once said that nothing good would ever come out of it, and it had finally came true.

The past can destroy the present, and possibly the future. Just yesterday, she had been so happy, and she had told herself she was going to start a new life with someone she loved. Just now, old scars had been reopened, old loves had been rekindled. Because how was she going to move on, when the man she had once loved and died for was standing right in front of her?

To learn that she had been in love up to the point of being almost engaged to a different man that still loved her was a shocker, and had tore her heart in two. If he loved her that much and brought her back to life because of their love, why didn't he come to find her, rekindle that old flame long ago? Why did he give her the illusion of being someone else, to live in ignorance and happiness, even letting her fall in love with another man only to return her past to her? Oh yes, she forgot. She herself had asked for it. Oh, the irony of it all.... if only she could laugh, she would. After that, she couldn't even face Falcon, not after what they had done, what she had told him, and what happened back at Devil May Cry. So she ran. Regardless of the rain outside, of Buddy shouting at her to wait, she ran at full speed for a block or two, only to trip and fall to her knees in a puddle.

Buddy had caught up with her, but she refused to return to dryness and warmth with him, already sobbing too hard to even form a coherent sentence. Other times, she would have been embarrassed about wailing like a little child, but she didn't care at that instant. All she did was give him a little tag with Falcon's initial on it, much like the one she had bought when they were at the bazaar together, and told Buddy to pass it on to him and tell him she was sorry. Sorry for inflicting pain on him, sorry for having to learn that she was in love with Dante, sorry for running away like that, and sorry that she wasn't coming home tonight, wherever home was.

And so here Jade was, somewhere up above on a building's roof, watching as the three men fought off a bunch of demons that had appeared. Devil City didn't get it's name for nothing. It was one of the most famous spots for demons to pop up since it was on some kind of weak link of Hell, or something. They had still gone out to search for her in this weather, knowing that she hated thunder, but even her ears were deaf to thunder now. While trying to process her lost memories, she was oblivious to anything around her, not even realizing how she got up there in the first place. There was no way to describe the raging emotions in her; she didn't know how to vent it out, she was already crying, she couldn't scream, couldn't do anything.... except that a melody was bubbling in her heart, a song forming in her mind.

She knew, it was strange, but whenever she got particularly stressed, or sad, or anything at all, she either slept it off, or usually... she sang. Any type of song; slow and sad, loud and angry, sometimes even bitter, some where she screamed the lyrics to rid herself of the emotions she was feeling... this was one of them. Around her neck hung not only the ruby that Falcon had given her, but Aylen's keepsake, a beautifully engraved ancient ring on a chain, something like a channeling object the half-Asian girl used to focus on when she was harnessing the Phoenix's power. Before they left, Aylen had given it to her, lent it really, saying that it might come in handy, and she was right. Part of her wondered if Aylen knew something she didn't, and gave it to her in light of what was to come, but she didn't want to think about it now.

Her hand reached up, grasped the ring tightly within her fingers. She had seen Aylen's power before. With her.... would it work, even if she wasn't a vessel, but merely borrowing a tiny bit of the Phoenix's power? For the ring came from the Phoenix when it harmonized with Aylen, and the object, small as it was, carried within it's power, granting it to the person that wielded the ring. Jade took a deep breath, opened her mouth and began to sing.

"Over my tender shoulder
A forest sunk in thick mist
The concealed truth
Quietly, it echoes

Burnt on my eyelids
A monochrome world
Full of black shadows entangling

In the soaring rain of light
I want everything to melt into forgiveness
My frozen sin
Resounds painfully, like a lullaby"

As she sang, her voice echoing like the sad song of a dove through the rain, two rotating circles of power appeared around her feet, just like it had happened to Aylen, but instead of a glowing gold, hers was green. As a result of borrowing the ring, the Song Spell wasn't as strong or concentrated as Aylen's, but effective. She sang her heart out, eyes closed yet the tears still fell, spilled down on her cheeks to mix with the rain... that was slowing to a steady shower. Below her, her voice reached the fight below and Dante was the first to look up as any injury the men had sustained healed. Eyes the color of the sky was impressed by her display of power, no matter now temporary it was, and with her song creating a shield for them, the rest of the demons were dispatched easily.

"Gently touching my memories
A tender song shakes me awake
The warm vestiges
Rustling inside my heart

In this world mingled with noise
In this dazzling vertigo
Red flower petals are falling

All those scattered hollow dreams
I want to embrace and love them all
The innocent pain left behind
Wonders till far away, like a lullaby"

Her song brought about a sense of peace, although it held a great ton of anguish and sadness, it made the rain stop, and a ray of sunlight broke through the rain clouds. What Jade was singing would probably not be remembered later, since the song came from deep within her heart, speaking of her lost memories and how she felt at the instant. She was bewildered, a lost little child not knowing how to make a decision, but perhaps... there was hope for the future yet. And so she sang, healing not only the injuries of her friends, but the past injuries in her heart.

Then maybe she could just move on.

"The blurry sky of twilight
The hazy trembling moonlight
Reflected on my wet eyes

All those broken fragments of light
I want to gather them and erase the night away
Embracing my wish, until the day I am awaken
I will continue to softly whisper, a lullaby"

Everyone was looking at her as she finished singing, the circles of her aura disappearing as she opened her eyes. She had long understood... a Song Spell works only when someone is singing with her heart. When she wanted to express her feelings to someone. Aylen needed to be taught that, but not her. Still... a small smile curved her lips as she let her gaze linger over the boys before turning and walking away, leaving before they could catch her there. Jade didn't need the Phoenix to invoke a song spell. No.. miracles were already created everyday when she sang, whether it be happy, or sad. The song was a melody from her heart, a message she wanted to tell them, although she couldn't find the words to say it nicely. All she needed was some time.

There were still some old ghosts to confront, old demons to face, old memories to forget, and old tears to cry.

Only then, she would be able to take Falcon's hand and let him lead her home.

Amnesia. It was a song from her heart, and a melody from her soul.

Seize The Day

OOC: I had written this last year randomly due to insomnia again, and yeah. ^^ Thought I'd post it up here for everyone to see. Seize The Day by Avenged Sevenfold, but I loved this version of the piano solo by someone, so I used the piano instead lol. Anyway... the original song is at the bottom of the fic.
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Seize The Day
MazdaKitsune

The large office of Devil May Cry was silent, the light of the sun coming in and casting golden beams on the floor. The jukebox stood silent in the corner, the overhead fan turning gently to create a slight breeze that barely ruffled the silver hair of the man sitting at the counter of a mini bar. His azure eyes were downcast, staring at nothing as he tried getting his thoughts in order. Just ten minutes ago, Dante had bade his brother Vergil goodbye after his twin had dropped by to keep him company. They both knew... and could feel it... Dante's wife's time was up.

Jade was dying, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Finally moving, Dante made his way up the stairs to their room, pushing open the door quietly in case Jade was asleep. "Jade?"

An old woman lay in the bed, wrinkled face turned towards the window. Wispy white hair lay combed and neatly placed on her shoulders, but as 87 year old Jade Castero Sparda turned, her faded emerald eyes still held a sparkle of life, a spark of vivacity of the young girl he had first met in a bar. "Dante..." God, even her strong voice had faded, becoming the raspy whisper of one who was close to death.

She reminded him of an old worn-out record, and though it broke his heart to see her so, Dante put on a cheery smile and a brave face as he approached her, crawling into bed so he could gently cradle her. "Hey, babe. How are you feeling?"

"Never been better," Jade teased as she reached out with a trembling hand to run it through the ivory tresses that she loved so much, and he closed his eyes in pain. Her lean and slender body had withered down to mere skin and bones, and though she had aged greatly, he didn't look a day over 35. "Are you worried, Dante?" she asked gently, locking gazes with him. "Don't be. I'm not afraid of Death as long as you're by my side."

Dante's chest tightened painfully and his eyes began to sting, yet his demonic side didn't allow him to cry. "I'm not worried about you facing Death. I'm just... I don't want to see you die," he admitted.

Jade shifted closer to him. "Do you remember, a long time ago, I asked you a question while we were still engaged? I asked you, 'What would you do when I'm gone?'"

"And I said..." Dante's voice cracked. "And I said that I'd look after our children, and our children's children... oh, God.... Jade." He hugged her tightly, though not too tightly so he wouldn't crush her. "I'm so selfish. I should have let you fall in love with a human, not a half-devil like me."

"You big idiot!" Jade exclaimed, then laughed and coughed. When her coughing fit was over, she continued, "I wouldn't have let you, you know. I would have just kept coming on after you until you caved in. Because I loved you from the start, Dante. I fell in love with you and married you, knowing the consequences of having a shorter life-span as a human."

"You're an angel, you know that?" Dante said, fighting against the terrible pressure on his chest as he stroked her hair, breathing her scent in deeply. "When you arrive at whatever place spirits go to, you tell the boss you're to become the most beautiful angel anyone has ever laid eyes on. I want to see my strawberry blossom fly with beautiful wings and wearing an elegant gown, okay? You make sure that happens... or when I come there, there'll be Hell to pay."

Jade chuckled and closed her eyes. "You can't tell God or the Gods what to do, Dante. You're not all-powerful like they are."

Dante smiled. "Yeah, I'm not. But it's just a thought."

There was another chuckle, then all was silent, save the sound of their breathing. After a while, Jade whispered, "I'm so cold. So cold and so tired."

Dante's arms tightened around her, nestling her into his shoulder as he scanned the area, reaching out to Vergil at the same time. Apart from coming to comfort him, Vergil had also been there to act as a lookout for Death so he could alert Dante. Both twins had met Death on various occasions; their mother's death, the demons they killed, human casualties killed by demons, sometimes even bumping into him while in Hell. Death usually took on the most comforting form for a dying person, sometimes bringing in a helper to do the comforting, whether it be the dying person, or the people that were in extreme grief. But Dante was determined to fight Death again, as he had done many times. And this time, it was for his dying wife.

"I have not felt Death's presence yet, but he is on his way."

Vergil's reply only brought temporary reassurance as Dante attempted to soothe himself and Jade. "Still cold, baby? Just close your eyes and get some sleep, okay? I'll be here, waiting for you to wake up. I promise. You'll need your energy, so rest."

There was a muffled agreement from Jade, and she relaxed against him. "Sing me a song please, Dante."

A song... Dante had never been much of a singer, but sometimes he and Jade would duet or wing with a makeshift band made out of her, him, Vergil, Nero and Lady. He wasn't in a singing mood, but how could be ignore Jade's plea? So, he searched his mind for a song.

"Seize the day, or die regretting the time you lost... It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over..."

Seize The Day, by Avenged Sevenfold. It was hardly a lullaby, but Dante felt that it fit the situation beautifully, pouring out his feelings at the same time.

"I found you here, so please just stay for a while, I can move on with you around... I hand you my mortal life but will it be forever...?"

It's true that Dante loved his wife with all his heart. Even after she had been bedridden, he fed her, clothed her and held her close each day, not once leaving her side. He took care of her in every way that he could, Vergil taking over the run of the business and the training of his twin son and daughter.

He wasn't really ready to lose Jade yet.

"I'll do anything for a smile, holding you till our time is done... We both know the day will come, but I don't wanna lose you..."

Not just yet.
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Dante's eyes snapped open. He had fallen asleep without realizing it, and looking down, he was relieved to find Jade still breathing, her heart beating slowly against his chest. She looked so beautiful just lying there next to him, even in her old age with her wrinkled face and all... But he'd always see her for the beautiful woman she had been. To him, her body was old, but her spirit would always remain young.

The door to their room opened quietly and Dante looked up, his face turning pale. "Oh God.. please, no... not now..."

"I'm sorry, " was all Vergil said as he stepped aside to reveal a hooded figure shrouded in black and a young girl around 15 or 16. Her large dove-like eyes rested sympathetically on the couple before she said softly, "It's time. Please let us take Miss Castero."

"Like Hell you will," Dante growled as he disentangled himself from Jade and walked out of the room to face them. "You're not touching my Jade, no matter what. You hear me? You'll have to get through me first."

"Son of Sparda, I know the many losses you've been through, but please let us carry out or job." The girl said quietly. "It's our duty to collect her soul. Jade Castero's time has come. To allow her to live any longer is to make her suffer."

"Then take my human life instead," Dante pleaded. "Use my human side to prolong her years. Please.... I don't want her to leave me right now. I'd do anything for her."

Vergil could only watch in amazement. His younger brother was willing to sacrifice his own human side just to keep the person he loved alive? Love could really change a person. It was just so... strange to him, yet he couldn't help but wonder at the faint twisting of his heart that caused a strange ache in his chest and a burning in his eyes. He wanted to say something, anything to chide or comfort his brother, but stayed silent. Even if he wanted to speak, he felt that nothing could get through the lump that had suddenly grown in his throat.

But Vergil didn't have to say anything because the girl did it for him. "And then what, Dante Sparda?" she asked. "What then? Become a full demon when you give up your humanity and let your wife live on in pain, grieving that her husband has become one of those nightmares she used to kill for a living? What of your children, having their mother sick and aged, having to live with their realization that they might have to kill their demonic father one day? I ask you to consider, Mr Sparda. For your sake and Jade's."

"My father-" Dante began, but his protest was cut off.

"The Legendary Dark Knight Sparda did become a savior to humanity, though he was a devil. But it was centuries before a spark of conscience grew in him. Tell me, Dante... Would you even survive that long? And if you do, can you live with the realization of killing the very humans you fought so hard to protect before?"

Dante shook his head, his eyes stinging with tears yet again. "No.... Jade wouldn't want that..."

"Damn right I wouldn't, Dante..." came the old raspy voice from inside the room. Tired emerald eyes surveyed them all. "What were you thinking? Giving up your human side like that... I'd have Vergil do a Judgement Cut on me before you could do it."

Vergil forced a smirk as Dante hurried to her side. "Jade... Babe... Forgive me, I..."

"It's okay, Dante," Jade said gently. "But you should let Death do his job. let me have the rest I've always longed for after years and years or working so hard for it. Isn't that right, Cerridwen?"

The question was directed at the young girl standing next to Dante. She looked taken aback for a while, then a smile appeared on her lips. "I'm surprised you know me, Jade Castero. Yes, I've been called that before, among other names. I've been known as Persephone, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Nephtys... "

"Because I did my research, many years before, when I was still young and well." Jade chuckled. "So you're here to comfort me?"

"I'm here to comfort, but not you." Cerri nodded at Dante. "I'm here to comfort him. Death knows you've accepted him, but Dante won't let you go without a fight. I'm here mainly to persuade and comfort him so he can let go."

Dante's grip on her hand tightened and Jade turned to look at him. "Let me go, Dante... Please. don't let me suffer in this body anymore."

"I can't, Jade.. I can't." Dante admitted helplessly. "I'm not ready to lose you yet."

"Dante Sparda, you've given me all the happiness a woman could ask for in her life," Jade said softly. "You've loved me, cherished me, and gave to me all the wonderful things life had to offer. You made a promise that you would stand by my side until the day comes, and look after the rest of our descendants after that. I.. I hope you'll keep your promise... and now I beg of you... let me sleep. This is my last request."

Tears gathered in Dante's eyes, blurring his vision as he began to tremble. "Are you really that tired, baby?"

Jade smiled that special smile that she reserved only for him. "Yes, cowboy. Very."

"Then... Then go to sleep. I'll be right here as always, beside you... Waiting for you to wake up..." Dante's voice trailed off as a sob worked it's way from his throat.

"Thank you.." Jade lifted a hand to stroke his cheek before running it through his hair again, this time for the last time. Death made his way to the bed, ready to claim her soul. "Good night, Dante..."

Something wet hit his face, and Vergil touched his cheek, surprised to find tears running down his face in hot rivers. So this is what sadness is like... he mused quietly. It's a really painful feeling... Yet relieving in the strangest way.

Cerri touched his arm gently. "Devils never cry, Vergil. Tears are a gift only humans have."

Vergil let his gaze linger over her before looking over at his brother. Odd how her small touch could bring him so much comfort. "But even out there..." He nodded at Dante. "Even a devil may cry."

Dante leaned down and kissed Jade tenderly before he stroked her hair. "Good night, sweet blossom..." he said softly. "Sweet dreams..." Death curled his fingers around hers as she gave Dante her last, faint smile. Slowly, her emerald eyes closed forever, never once leaving the ice-blue that she loved, and she let out her last breath as a soft sigh, her body going limp.

It was over. Just like that it was over. "Good night, my dear Jade.. Have a good rest... alright?" Dante kissed her again and curled up over Jade's body, clutching her close to him. "Wake up soon, babe... and then... and then you can tell me about the dream you had... hopefully it'll be one of those ridiculous dreams you sometimes have... and we'll have a good laugh about it later..."

His voice broke, and finally... finally... the tears fell.
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The funeral in the old graveyard was a small and solemn one. Jade looked to be at peace, and it brought Dante some comfort as he dropped one last tender kiss onto her forehead and stepped back as her coffin was closed. He had buried Ebony with her, alongside her beloved Umbra and Levis, because she had loved using that particular gun before. Hizoku, she had left in Vergil's care, and her whip Sentis had been taken by their daughter a long time ago.

Dante was strangely detached throughout her burial, watching calmly as the earth covered his wife's coffin. He barely registered Trish coming over to hug him, Nero following slightly after to offer his condolences. He just stood there in a daze, letting Vergil handle everything.

"Dad?"

The soft female voice brought him out of his thoughts and Dante turned, staring into the face of a woman that was remarkably similar to Jade. God, it was as if Jade has just stepped out of her grave and was facing him. the way her long hair framed her face, the slightly tanned skin, the familiar curve of her lips. All that was missing was the emerald green eyes that he loved gazing into. Instead, he found himself gazing longingly into the ice-blue eyes identical to his.

Dante sttempted a smile and reached out, tucking a stray strand of black hair behind the woman's ear. "Hey, Danielle. How's my baby girl doing?"

His daughter smiled as her twin brother came up with Vergil, both wearing suits. She herself wore a black dress as a sign of mourning. Only Dante defiantly wore his red coat, but everyone knew that it was a last sign of his love for Jade, so they let him be. "Not so much of a baby now, dad."

Dante nodded and turned to his son. "Jaden?"

Jaden gave a fidgety shrug, sweeping his silver hair back in an imitation of his idolized uncle, but half of his bangs flopped back into his yes. His emerald green eyes, Dante thought with a pang. His son, named after Jade, had inherited her eyes, while his daughter that had been named after him had gotten her eyes. "I'm alright, I guess. I mean... I can't believe mom's gone.. But I'll live with it."

Dante chuckled, tears appearing in his eyes. "Yeah, your mother was a great woman, you know? A great woman..."

"Oh, daddy..." Danielle flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "You still have us, you know.. You still have us."

"Yeah, dad." Jaden put his hand on his father's shoulder. "We're still family, and we have each other, along with Uncle Vergil."

Dante lifted his arms and hugged his children close. "Yeah. I still have all of you..." He felt Vergil's touch on his back, lifted his head and met his twin's gaze, and for the first time in years, turned and wept in his brother's arms.
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Jade lowered her face. "It's just that... You're going to live much, much longer than me... And you're not going to get old... Not like me, I'm going to be an old woman in the years to come... I'm just worried about you, I guess. What are you going to do after I'm gone?"

Dante frowned, then smiled, lifting her head up so their eyes would meet. "I will stand by you until that day, and then after that I will watch over our children and our children's children..."

Odori

A/N: Ahaha.... BON ODORI was AWESOME! =D I enjoyed myself so much, I even had a new haircut to match Kasuga Tamaki from Hiiro no Kakera. Unfortunately, now I think it looks a bit more like Isayama Yomi from Ga-Rei Zero. ^^; In any case, this fic has been playing about in my head for a bit, ever since I played the Matsuri route in Hiiro no Kakera: Ano Sora no Shita de. Hehe.. and as you all know, you can change the player's name in the game, and I changed Tamaki's name to Kairi Hisui for the fun of it, so...... here! Some random, crazed fic based on Hiiro no Kakera and Bon Odori! XDDDD
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Odori
MazdaKitsune

She was feeling jittery, somehow. So jittery that she was practically bouncing on her legs as she knelt in seiza position in front of her dresser while deft, but gentle hands caressed the strands of her hair, doing them up into a bun. 'Kanzashi', Japanese hair ornaments, where laid out on the dresser neatly, and the young black-haired girl darted a glance at her reflection in the mirror again, a flash of white seen as her teeth worried her lower lip for a bit. Seeing that, the hands stopped, and the short-haired brunette that had been working on her hair leaned down so that her calm expression was reflected in the mirror as well, her chin almost leaning on the other female's shoulder. The brunette was Kotokura Mitsuru, housekeeper of the Kasuga household, also protector of the building and the compound they were in. She always referred to herself as a servant, and waited on the girl hand and foot if the need arose. "Masaka.... Hisui-sama, are you having the jitters?"

"A-Ah, iie!" Kasuga Hisui hurriedly protested, her face turning slightly red as she dipped her head to hide her expression from Mitsuru. "I-I'm not! It's just that.... well...." her eyes darted to the clock on the corner of her dresser and the brunette chuckled knowingly.

"Ahh... I get it. Hisui-sama is so excited that she's becoming nervous."

"N-No! It isn't like that, Mitsuru-chan! I.. uh.... well.... yes." Hisui finally admitted as she slumped slightly, Mitsuru's hands going back to work, dragging a fragile bamboo comb to gather her thick black hair into a ponytail before she could twist it into a bun. "Worry not, I'm sure you'll look lovely tonight," Mitsuru replied, reassuring her. "Just close your eyes and relax, Hisui-sama. And I'll be done in no time." Hisui gave a sigh, then stared at herself in the mirror, emerald eyes blinking at herself before she closed them and lost herself to her thoughts. Sometimes she felt that her life was going too fast for her, because.... she used to be someone else before, and she was someone else now.

Not too long ago, she had been called Jade Castero.

Not too long ago, she had broken up with her fiance and gone through hell with depression.

Not too long ago, a certain cold man had shoved her into this village and told her to find her past as well as gave her an education.

Not too long ago, she had met six young men that claimed to be her Guardians, gone to school, met her grandmother and gone through a whirlwind of events that changed her life forever.

And not too long ago, she had become the 'Tamayorihime', a princess not of royal nature, but of one with the need and cause to protect.

Yes, the moment this fiery orphan girl set foot into this village to find out about her past, Jade Castero had ceased to exist, and Kasuga Hisui was born. The huntress had laid down her weapons when her heart was shattered, and became a normal student going to a school, meeting boys, making friends and doing homework. Her fiery temper cooled, her rough ways softened, and the Huntress was transformed into a sweet little thing, with a warm, cheerful smile and open arms to accept anyone that came into her life. Her hair, cropped short before, grew long to just barely touch her waist, and her mannerisms changed into that of a lady.

Still, she had a reckless and stubborn streak in her, if not a tad mischievous. That was a trait that still remained inside of her, personality-wise. Looks could change, but a glimmer of that old personality still remained within. Yes, Hisui was simply your ordinary schoolgirl that got into trouble with her Guardians sometimes, while carrying an unimaginable amount of power in her blood; power not meant to destroy, but meant to protect. For generations, her ancestors had been the Protector of this village and Shrine, the Guardian of Five seals that kept an object of immense power hidden from the world, lest it be destroyed; a sword called the Onikirimaru.

That sword alone had the power to destroy both the heavens and the earth, and it was Hisui's duty to protect it with her blood, a duty she had accepted without protesting when she finally understood and came to terms with her past.

She was the Tamayorihime now at the tender age of 18, although her mother had ran from her duty and died after Hisui was born, but she was ready to take this heavy responsibility.

"It's done, Hisui-sama." Mitsuru's voice roused her out of her thoughts, and Hisui opened her eyes, her lips slightly parting to see her hair twisted into a bun and decorated with ornaments. "It's beautiful... Arigatou, Mitsuru-chan."

"Doidashimashite." Mitsuru smiled cheerfully at the thanks given. She had hated her life before because of Hisui's grandmother's cruel ways, abhorred the Tamayorhime even, but Hisui had changed her view of life, and she now served her loyally and willingly, not out of bitterness and fear. "Saa, Hisui-sama... it's time to wear the yukata."

Pulling on the black-haired girl's hand gently, she led her mistress to where she had prepared the body powder to smooth and perfume the skin, a bowl of water to freshen her face, other girl stuff and of course, the traditional clothing. Hisui sighed and waited patiently before her eyes darted to the clock again. Sunset was fast approaching....
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The village streets were filled with lanterns and lined with stalls, hundreds of people already crowding the whole area. The sky was turning a navy blue by then, but the lanterns lit up the area with a cheerful golden glow. The field had the 'yagura', a platform where the taiko drums would be placed and played, set up and as far as Hisui could see...... the place was swarming with people, the villagers, those that had come from the city to enjoy the festival, and of course, foreign tourists. "Waah!! Sugoi!!" Hisui stood there with her mouth open and eyes wide, although excitement rather than surprise was displayed on her face. "There's so many people around!! I don't think I'll be able to move.."

"Shinpai suru na, Hisui-sama," Mitsuru, clad in a miko priestess uniform of red and white, reassured her. "It may be crowded, but you'll be able to move just fine in the crowd, and your Guardians are scattered in there to take care of you. Ja, Hisui-sama, enjoy yourself. Hitsureshimasu." She bowed to her mistress and disappeared to the Shrine to handle the amount of people coming to pay their respects to the deites.

Hisui turned back to the crowd, heart pounding slightly, and turned her head to look down at her shadow. "Ne, it'll be alright, won't it, O-chan? Though I don't do good in crowds..."

"Nii~!" A bluish-white fox cub poked it's tiny head out of her shadow to give her the fox equivalent of a grin. O-chan was an Osaki Kitsune she had received when she first came to this village, staying in her shadow as a pet/companion and to sheild her from the random dangers to buy time for her Guardians to save her. He could shape shift into a seven-year old boy with two tails and ears if he wanted even, and he normally did that to play with Hisui sometimes.

"Saa... let's go, then!" Nodding, Hisui squared her shoulders, slid the little bag she was carrying over her waist, and forged her way into the street. Like Mitsuru said, the crowd made way respectfully for her the moment she set foot into the street, so she didn't have to squeeze her way through. Her excitement came back full blast as she looked around, both amazed and interested in the sights and sounds and things that were being sold. The girl was clearly enjoying herself already, and it didn't take long for her to pick out two distinct voices from the crowd.

"Dame da yo, dame!" A rather shrill male voice was screeching out. "Dakara, Takuma-kun, it's easier to go that way so we can get close to the Yagura to see all those beautiful ladies dancing!"

"Whatever you say, Mahiro-senpai." Another voice replied, a bit deeper than the first. "Have you forgotten that we have to be close anyway?"

"I wouldn't mind being up there to dance with her though..."

"Mahiro-senpai! Takuma-kun!" Hisui called out as she pushed her way towards them, her eyes shining with happiness and excitement, trying to run as fast as the yukata allowed her to. "Konbanwa!"

"Ohh??! It's Hisui-chan! Yosh, evening!" Atori Mahiro said in pleased surprise with his hands on his waist, his own emerald eyes shining at her, messy black locks teased about by an unseen wind that always seemed to be following him around. Some said he was a smaller, male version of Hisui since she and him were alike in cheerfulness and mischief, and the two constantly like playing pranks on each other. "Kirei da na yo, omae!"

"Aa, you look beautiful in that yukata today." Takuma gave her one of his usual slight smiles, amethyst eyes taking in her dark red yukata with the purple obi, arms folded. Both boys themselves wore yukatas as well for the occasion, Mahiro in a light brown sleeveless one, Takuma in a black one with a purple scarf thrown loosely around his neck.

"Mm, arigatou!" Hisui beamed at them, then looked around. "Ano ne, where are the others?"

"I'm not too sure." Mahiro shrugged carelessly. "They're all somewhere around, I guess. Hai, there's still some time before the dances start, so-"

"Let's go play together!" Takuma said just as he did, and Hisui sweatdropped when they both shot annoyed glances at each other.

"A-Ano... I think I'll just wander around for a bit to find the others, and then I'll meet you both at the yagura, ne?" She held up her hands before escaping back into the crowd, giggling when she heard Mahiro's outraged shout and Takuma's sigh. "Really, those two can make such a good pair sometimes...."

"Who can make such a good pair?" A quiet voice asked, and two hands landed gently on her shoulders before a flower was placed into her hair. Komura Youichi smiled down at her, his yellow eyes softening to a honey-gold, silver hair looking a very light purple in the darkness, a bit of the golden glow from the lanterns tinting it, wearing a pale blue yukata. "You look pretty tonight, Hisui-chan."

"Youichi-senpai." Hisui blushed lightly as he adjusted his little gift to her in her hair, then touched the white flower lightly with her fingers. "Arigatou. Uun, I was just talking about Mahiro-senpai and Takuma-kun. They just asked me out to play, but I thought I'd wander around alone for a bit to find the rest of you."

"Sou ka?" Youichi placed his hand on her head in a brotherly manner, carefully carressing her hair so he wouldn't mess up Mitsuru's hard work. "Well, you can't blame them for wanting to spend time with you. This is the only day we can get to see you all dressed up like a true princess. You should at least give us that."

"Mm, I get it," Hisui said sheepishly. "But we're all going to the Shrine after the Obon for Sukiyaki, aren't we? Mitsuru-chan said so. Then we can all take pictures together for memories."

"That's true. Still, it's better to enjoy this festival together, right?" Youichi smiled, then lifted his hand off her head, wandering off as a 15 year old boy with brown hair and large brown eyes that almost engulfed his face came up, wearing a brown yukata and holding a stick of cotton candy.

"Hisui-senpai, konbanwa! Wahhh.... you looks so nice today!" Inukai Shinji said breathlessly, his face slightly red, shyness in his innocent brown eyes.

"Arigatou, Shinji-kun!" Hisui replied happily, wondering just how many times she had to say thank you today. Every Guardian she met complimented her, she felt quite embarrassed now. Still, it made her feel happy and gave her that warm, fuzzy feeling inside, because the people she cared the most for were giving her their attention in a different way this time. "Is that cotton candy?"

"Ah.. hai, I got this from that stall over there." Shinji pointed at a stall. "They're selling all kinds of sweets, including ice-cream."

"Sugoi... can I have a taste?" Hisui teased, and Shinji looked taken aback, a blush making his face hot.

"E-Eh??!"

"Onegai?"

"A-Ah.... if senpai asks then....." Shinji surrended and held out his cotton candy, Hisui giggling and giving him a beaming smile before reaching over to take a large bite.

"Mm, it's sweet! Thanks, Shinji-kun! I'll buy you Takoyaki and a drink for that!"

"A-Ah, matte senpai! Y-You don't have to....." Shinji tried to stop her, but it was too late; the girl had already ran off.

At the food stall she was headed to, a teen with untamed brown hair in a dark red yukata stood, finishing off a stick of Takoyaki. Russet-red eyes glanced off to the side to watch the approaching girl, and a wolfish smirk grew on his lips. "Well, well.... look at who has arrived. Someone delicious and wrapped up in a yukata, all waiting for me to devour."

"Stop that, Ryou-kun." Hisui rolled her eyes at Kutani Ryou, who grinned and slid closer to her to loop his arm around her waist. "I didn't mean to run into you, I just wanted to get Shinji-kun some food."

"I'm hungry too," Ryou pretended to pout, dropping his voice into a whine as she ordered the food from the man manning the stall. "Why can't my Tamayorihime feed this poor wolf too, hmm?"

"Because I only promised Shinji-kun, and besides, you've already finished off a stick of Takoyaki," Hisui declared, receiving a drink and a plate of two Taiyaki before she paid for them. "And you're right, you're a wolf." She started walking away.

"So mean, my Hi-chan. I'm really hungry." Ryou followed her.

"Fine, fine... you want some?" Hisui finally sighed in irritation and offered him the plate.

Ryou's pout vanished and turned into a leering smirk. "Oh yes, I definitely want 'some'." Instead of taking the Takoyaki, he pulled lightly on the collar of her yukata, the other gently pushing her head back before he ran his tongue along the column of her neck, a look of want in his eyes.

Hisui gave a squeal of indignation and embarassment, balancing the plate on her palm before she dropped it. "You wolf!" She squawked, breaking free of him, whirling around to face him with a red face. "Stop doing that!"

Ryou simply chuckled with a 'couldn't-care-less' look on his face and shrugged. "Well, I was 'hungry'. Thanks, anyway." And before she could do anything, he and taken the Takoyaki and drink out of her hands, sauntering away with a pleased and satisfied look on his face.

"MATTE!" Hisui yelled after him. "That's for Shinji-kun!"

"Hai, hai. I'll pass it to him." Ryou simply said as he disappeared.

"Matte, Ryou-kun!" Hisui tried to go after him, but someone stepped on the wooden slipper she was wearing, and it slipped off her foot, causing her to turn in panic. My geta..... oh no.... "Ah... please wait..." she tried to get pass a rather large group of people, but couldn't, her eyes frantically sweeping the ground for her geta. Oh, great! What was she going to do now?? Hopping around on one foot.....

"Did you lose a slipper, Cinderella?"

The gentle voice made Hisui turn, and to her relief, she saw a smiling Oomi Tsuguru holding up her lost geta. "Tsuguru-san!! You saved me!!" she wailed in thanks, hopping towards him. The gentle, long-haired man of 25 chuckled softly before catching and steadying her, not caring if her grip on his arms crumpled the sleeves of his dark green yukata slightly. Honey-colored eyes looked at her in amusement before he knelt, taking her foot and letting her step on his thigh so she wouldn't lose her balance.

"You should be a bit more careful, O-Hime-sama," he chided as he slid the geta onto her foot and stood, smoothing down his clothes. That smile was still on his face as he patted her head lightly. "Are you enjoying yourself tonight? The dances are going to start soon, so you better hurry since you're leading the dancing on the Yagura, alright?" He looked her over to make sure she was all neat as well as warm, protected from the cold. When he was satisfied that she was, he stepped back. "You look beautiful tonight, Hisui-san."

"Mmm..... arigatou...." Hisui looked down, averting her eyes shyly, a blush on her face. "Well, then... I better get going before the drummers start looking for me."

"Take care, Hisui-san." Tsuguru smiled, hiding his hands in the folds of his yukata. "And ganbatte. We'll be watching."

"Hai!" Hisui beamed and waved before leaving, hurrying through the crowd towards the field, but the sound of splashing caught her attention. "Ehhh! Goldfish catching!" she stopped, totally distracted as she watched, then decided to have a go. Armed with a bowl of water and two thin paper nets, she bent to try her luck at catching the goldfish, but in her hurry, the first 'net' tore after two dips. "Ah..."

"You're doing it wrong," a deep voice said. "Are you Mahiro-senpai or what?" Takuma came up behind her, taking the bowl in one hand and guiding her wrist with his other. He didn't look at her, but his eyes were watching the fish. "You have to be careful and patient if you want to catch one.... there, see that? Slide the net into the water without making her water splash..."

"Ano, Takuma-kun...." Hisui bit her lip as she tried it, his hand still guiding her wrist. "The net will tear."

"Not if you're careful," Takuma replied. "There, now! Lift it up while the goldfish is still on top of it!"

"Now?!" Hisui was startled, fumbling with the net, and the paper tore, letting the fish escape. Takuma sighed in exasperation, setting the bowl back on the stall. "You're a bit hopeless, aren't you? Try again next year, or the next festival, then."

"Hehe...." Hisui looked sheepish, then her eyes widened. "Ah!! I got to get to the Yagura!"

"Oi, Hisui! Matte!" Takuma shouted after her as she ran off, then gave a frustrated sigh. "Such a reckless girl......"

"Hisui!! Oi! Come here a sec!" Mahiro called out from the shooting stall where he was shooting cans when she ran past. "Shoot this last can for me, will you? Complete my luck with a shot!"

"Demo, senpai! I have to-"

"Daijoubu! It'll only take a minute!" He grabbed her hand and hauled her over, pushing the gun into her hands. "Just aim and fire on my word, okay?"

"A-Aa..." Hisui bent with a doubtful look on her face, closing on eye so she could aim better. Mahiro bent as well to mutter directions in her ear, one hand on her back to steady her. "Careful, don't shoot if your hands are shaking or if you're unsure. Once you're relaxed enough, pull the trigger. Got me?"
"Right...." She did as she was told, then when the both of them were certain that she was relaxed enough, he gave her a small nudge to pull the trigger. A lound clang rang out as the pellet hit the can, knocking it to the ground, and Mahiro crowed. "Sugoi na, Hisui-chan! And my yearly record remains unbroken!!" From far away, a drum boomed out, signalling the crowd to gather in the field to dance around the Yagura, and she gasped. "I'M LATE!!! SENPAI!!"

Grabbing Mahiro's hand, she hauled the screeching and protesting boy to the field, running all the way.

She never noticed the icy blue eyes that had been watching her every move with a cold gaze since the moment she set foot into the street where the Matsuri was being held.
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The crowd was astounding. Climbing her way onto the platform where the taiko drums were, leading the other dancers, Hisui began to feel nervous, and wondered if she had been right to let Mitsuru volunteer her to lead as the heiress of the Village's Shrine in the first place. Then again... this was all part of her job now as Tamayorihime. Tonight was going to be her first night taking part in public events like this, so she needed to make a good job of it. An uncomfortable look on her face at the amount of people staring at her, she swallowed, hands balling into fists by her side.

"Ano... senpai doesn't look too good, does she?" Shinji commented worriedly from right below where they were watching. "I think she's scared."

"It is her first time, after all..." Tsuguru said from behind him, his concerned gaze on her. "Perhaps it was too much of a pressure since there's more than a hundred people filling the place."

"It can't be helped then," Mahiro muttered before waving and calling out to catch Hisui's attention. "Oiiiiiii!!!!!!! Kasuga Hisui!!!! Do your best, we'll be right here watching you!!!"

Hisui gave a start, her emerald eyes glancing down to see her entire group of Guardians watching her and giving her silent support. "Ganbatte, ne?" Youichi smiled with folded arms. "You can do it." Meeting his eyes, then the rest of her Guardians, she felt the fluttering in her stomach calm and she breathed easier, returning a smile to them as well. A clearing of a throat behind her indicated that the drummers were ready, and she took a deep breath before lifting a hand to get the other dancers into a clockwise position around the drums, bowed to the cheering crowd, then turned. There would be four dances, each repeated twice, and four rounds, a few minutes break between each for the drum performances. The drummers began to beat the drums, the loud booms vibrating through the platform, and she lifted her arms to the ancient traditional moves, and began to dance.
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The Bon Odori was a festival in which they people dance to honor the spirits of their dead ancestors, the dances traditional and varying with each region. Even though Hisui was having the time of her life, she kept a slightly somber attitude, knowing that the reason why she was dancing was to pay homage and respect for the dead, and she danced in honor of the first Tamayorihime, the woman from whom she had descended, the one responsible for her powers. Every step was careful, every wave of her arms, every turn of her body was graceful. She closed her eyes in a small smile. Breathless, tired, and hot, she still managed to feel the power running in her blood, feel the Tamayorihime's gentle smile on her. For the Tamayorihime, her endless memories, and the duty on my shoulders. I dance for you...

She opened her eyes when the last song ended and let out a breath as the crowd stopped dancing and clapped, having thoroughly enjoyed themselved. A wide smile broke out on her face and she bowed to the crowd, before her eyes caught something just on the edge of the forest.

A flash of silver hair, and a glimpse of someone very, very familiar.

Vergil.

Her mouth opened to call out to him, but it was time for her to leave the platform with the other dances, and she had to turn away even as he slipped off into the crowd.
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She was doing well, and it made him satisfied. Vergil had watched her advance through the evening, watched as she interacted with those six males, then finally watched as she danced gracefully on the Yagura to the beat of the drums and the singing of the traditional songs. Jade was well and happy, and it relieved him to say the least. He couldn't care less about her being a huntress, but it bothered him to see her wasting away in his house when she asked if she could stay with him after that incident with the piano in the library. Her depression made the air thick, and it completely distracted him with his work, so to put a total end to it, he had coldly told her that if she didn't do something, he was going to kick her out.

Needless to say, the next morning, she went out for a haircut and announced that she was going to try to lead a normal life and lay her weapons down to rest. Vergil didn't care about that, but somehow, something nagged at the back of his mind and still took his mind off research and hunts, so he made another trip to the library and spent a week there.

What he uncovered surprised him for once, and the moment he got back, he made Hisui pack and brought them both to Japan. Her guns he sent to Dante, her sword, which was meant to belong to his twin anyway was kept because it had been passed to her instead, through her foster mother. Why?

He had found her past.

And after leaving her for a year in Riifu Village for a test run.... his suspicions were now confirmed. This girl was a powerful being granted with power meant to protect something of greater power, and he had never known. He could care less about that, but power.. that meant something else to him. A temptation that he had to supress. Turning, he was about to disappear into the forest to follow that trail of her power that would lead him to the five seals. Once broken, it would lead him to the Onikirimaru.

"Vergil!"

Her voice, Jade's voice, made him stop, and he sighed in irritation before turning to face her, deciding to at least give her one minute to say what she wanted before he left. He didn't face her, but simply let her talk to his back, seeming as if he wasn't listening.

Hisui was gasping for breath, having fought her way through the crowd to reach his side, hands on her knees, but she hurried to speak now. "I wasn't expecting to see you now, Vergil. Why did you come here? Is there something you're looking for or researching?"

"Your point?" Vergil asked cooly, turning round to face her at last.

Hisui straightened, her expression a determined look, that familiar fire starting to burn in her eyes again. "I thank you for searching for my past and researching into my bloodline, then giving me a shot at education for my future, but... whatever you're searching for here, you're not going to get. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"What makes you think I'm here to find something?" Vergil asked flatly, though he grudgingly had to compliment the way she thought and the way she read him.

"Because it's about power." Hisui stood her ground, though her stance seemed relaxed. A good sign; her enemy couldn't read her that way. "I won't allow you to have what you want, and if you intend to fight me for it, believe me, I won't hesitate to kill you. I will fight you to the death."

And one by one, they appeared, first as six pairs of glowing golden eyes in the darkness, rimmed with red, then they moved out of the shadows, the gold fading respectively into amethyst, emerald, glaring-yellow, russet-red, brown and honey-gold. Her Guardians appeared around her, all wearing neutral expressions on their faces, except for Tsuguru, who had a polite smile on his face. Each of their gazes promised death if Vergil dared lay a hand on her. "Hisui-san? You have the ceremony to go through at the Shrine. If you don't go now, Mitsuru-chan will be getting concerned."

"Wakatta. Gomen." And then they disappeared, one by one again, all except the red-headed boy, Takuma, who had her wrist in his grip, and he was the last to leave, pulling her away. Vergil simply stood where he was, watching them with a cold look, not even giving her a reaction when she looked over her shoulder at him even as she was dragged off. Once they were gone, he turned too, heading into the forest. He had watched her all evening, a part more wouldn't hurt. No, he wasn't around to steal the Onikirimaru, he just wanted to see if she had moved on with life.

Apparently, she had.
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Hisui had changed out of her yukata and was now wearing the priestess uniform, a semi-transparent haori over the red and white fabric, tiara over her forehead, a fan in her left hand, and a short bell staff in her right. Her long hair was tied where it fell to the small of her back, but it still followed her movements, a the sight of a true priestess fulfilling her duty. She sang as she danced gracefully, her voice filling the air, her steps an ancient ritual meant to strengthen the seals that kept the Onikirimaru hidden as well as call a blessing onto the place. She was the Tamayorihime, and this... was her duty, her obligation, her life.

None of the Guardians moved from their protective spots meant to represent the five seals, but Takuma's eyes were on her and her only, following her movements. The song she sang spoke about love, but in a very vauge manner, a liliting tune that seemed to drag anyone who heard it into it's melody. It was a yearning song..... filled with the feelings of the first Tamayorihime calling out to her love which had killed her and which she was forced to seal into the sword. Takuma shifted his position. He was that descendant of the Oni.. and she the descendant of the Tamayorihime. It was plain to see what that song meant to him... and to her.

Her eyes met his, and she smiled.



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From the forest, Vergil watched, and once he felt the safeguards and barriers of the Shrine being strengthened to it's highest level, he melted back into the shadows, and left. He did not love her, and never would, but he was satisfied that she had moved on.

It had almost rained again, like that day, but no.

The night was peaceful.

~Owari~

Why

A/N: Inspiration! Inspiration! XD Lol, yeah...... comments make me happy, hehehe. On another note.. BON ODORI IS COMING, AHHH!!!!! I'MA DO A TAKUMAxJADE FIC!!! KYAAAA!!! *o* *starry eyes*

PS: Btw, Jade/Hisui is 18 in this fic. Same case as Ryou-sama, I guess. XD


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Why
MazdaKitsune

It had been a year. Had it really been that long? No, it was almost a year... not quite a year yet. The long, black-haired girl sat tapping the edge of her pencil on top of her desk, her chin supported in her hand as she stared out the window that was next to her to the sunny, blue sky of summer. It was the last day of school before they were let out for a break, and she just couldn't wait to get free from the hot confines of the class. Emerald eyes surveyed the sky for a while more before turning back to her open textbook and attempting to concentrate on the lesson set before her, though her mind really wasn't absorbing anything much. Jade Castero was bored, that was for sure, but at least something always got stuck in her head at the end of the day.

It was a good thing.

But wait... what was Jade Castero, demon huntress, doing sitting in a class, wearing a uniform and studying?? She hated studying, for God's sake, so why??

Why....?

Her attention shifted to the outside world again, one hand gingerly tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as her eyes took on that faraway look, which meant she had wandered off to her own little world again. It had been a while... since Jade had layed down her guns and katana, turning her back on hunting and opted to become a normal girl instead. Try as she might, the hunting world just proved too painful for her to live in, and she, in a desperate decision to move on, had decided to leave it once and for all, leaving all her past behind her and simply starting anew. Vergil had helped somewhat, in his odd, cold manner of his, first suggesting she move somewhere away from Devil City, then dropping hints about changing her name and identity, then finishing off by offhandedly mentioning about her education. She had been in love with him at that time, but it was a quiet love, she having already accepted the fact that the distant man only showed her care in a cold way. It was enough for her during her time of depression, and once she had coaxed herself out of it, she began to move.

It first started by chopping off a very good portion of her hair.

It then went on to leaving her katana Hizoku in Vergil's care. She could summon it anytime she wanted to, the heartbroken girl having sat and watched him practice his abilities for hours. She sometimes suspected the reason why Vergil had repeated over and over again in front of her was just to teach her how to summon stuff other than entertaining her as well.

The third step was leaving Vergil (finally) to move to the place of her dreams, Japan. In fact, the blue-clad devil had been rather irritable the past few days, but it was only to encourage her to step up back to life and chase her dreams, also to get her away from him most probably. She knew how irritating her moping presence could get. So here she was now, new name, new life, new-

Thwack!

"Hisui-chan, pay attention, please." The pretty English teacher tapped her head softly with a book and Jade/Hisui winced as the class giggled. The woman wasn't angry, though; she had a patient smile on her face. "I know that class is almost over and you have the holidays to look forwards to, but please give the lesson your attenttion for 20 more minutes, alright?"

"Hai, Fiona-sensei." A red blush spread across the young girl's face, but Hisui couldn't help giggling. Miss Fiona was her favorite teacher, because she never got angry or raised her voice with anyone. She respected them, and everyone respected her in return. Dipping her head back to her textbook, Hisui settled her thoughts before concentrating for the rest of the session.
____________________________________________________________________

"Ja na!"

"Mata ne! See you at the festival!"

Finally, school was out. The students eagerly left the building grounds, waving and shouting goodbyes to each other, but Hisui lagged behind for a bit, her hands clasping her bag in front of her. In all honesty, the rough and tumble huntress had really changed; from sassy to a sweet-tempered little thing with hair that fell to her shoulders, though not as long as it was before. She retained that cheerfulness and mischief, though. That would always be a part of her, her cheerful smiles. Her body looked almost petite in the brown school uniform, rather than the lean, slightly muscular look she used to have. Anyone looking at her would probably not recognize her, and Vergil would be satisfied. Well, 'would' was the word. He wouldn't show her any expression, anyway... but he would give her a vauge compliment. She knew him well after her short stint staying with him.

"What do you think you're doing, baka?" A hand landed hard on her head and she gave a startled yelp of pain as the bored-sounding, deep voice continued on. "Hurry up and walk, you're slowing everyone down."

"Ouch! Don't call me idiot, Takuma-kun!" Hisui protested, holding her head as she looked up at the person responsible; a tall red-head with purple eyes that were currently looking down at her imperiously. But she immediately felt at ease with his presence by her side. Onizaki Takuma was one of the first friends she had made when she first decided to move to this village, and in a strange way, they grew fond of each other after getting involved in a fight.

"Yo, Hisui!" A shorter boy (but older than her by one year) with messy raven locks, emerald eyes and a perpetual grin on his face suddenly appeared from her right. Atori Mahiro grinned playfully at her. "Wandering off into your world again, aren't you?"

"There's nothing we can do about it. She's a dreamer." A tall silver-haired boy with yellow eyes approached sedately, bag tucked under his arm. Komura Youichi smiled before ruffling Hisui's hair. "Am I right?"

One by one, they appeared, and Hisui felt the heavy weight that was a part of her heart lift whenever she was with them, her beloved friends. In truth, making this decision had done her a lot of good. She got to experience the life she never had, and was enjoying it to the fullest, her new friends filling the gaping hole in her chest with laughter, companionship and fun. They filled in for the person she lost, and were always there to support her and have her back if she ever filled down. This was life... this was a normal life... and this normal life had brought her back to life. "Hey, guys. You're late."

"Late? That's a lie!" Mahiro sniffed. "We were here just on time, you were too busy staring off into space to hear us calling you!"

A pretty, long-haired brunette soon came up with a younger boy of 15, whose large brown eyes seemed to fill his entire face, gentle innocence shining clearly in them. Kasuga Tamaki and Inukai Shinji joined in the conversation before a muscular teen with untamed greyish-brown hair crept up behind Hisui and lifted her up into his arms, his russet-red eyes dancing with amusement when she squealed. "Ryou-kun! Put me down!"

"As my princess wishes," Kutani Ryou said in a bored but smooth tone before Tamaki clapped her hands. "I know! Why don't we all have dinner together tonight? We can have sukiyaki!"

"Really?" Hisui's eye lit up the moment her feet touched the ground. "That would be awesome!"

"Then we have to get moving to get home in time to set everything up," Youichi said, starting to turn. "We can discuss what to eat on the way."

"Meat! There has to be meat for Atori-Mahiro-senpai-sama!" Mahiro declared as the whole group walked out of the school gates, happily chatting together, laughter making the air light. Hisui's eyes shifted to the trees contentedly as they walked, and she silently thanked Vergil for encouraging her to go back to school to make up for the education she lacked. At least... she had a normal life and could have a normal job if she graduated. She did wonder though... where were the Sparda brothers now? Were they still watching over her from afar, secretly so she wouldn't notice, making sure she was safe and her life was smooth-sailing? She didn't know, but she had begun to watch the trees closely and the forest lining the road for a hint of someone hiding there, but she couldn't find anything.

"Hisui!" Takuma barked at her from the front. "Would you please hurry up??! Dammit... you're such a dreamer today..."

"I'm coming!" Hisui tore her gaze away and forced herself to focus on the red-head as she ran to catch up with all 6 of her friends, an apologetic look on her face. "Sorry, sorry... I was just looking in case something was hiding there."

"There's nothing there, so just stick with us." Takuma reached out and closed one hand over her wrist to make sure she didn't leg behind again, a grumble in his voice, though his expression said something else. "Really.... you're an idiot."

"Don't call me an idiot." Hisui replied automatically, but she looked back over her shoulder, giving the forest one last sweeping gaze before she was dragged away.
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Dinner had been a noisy, fun event, filled with laughter and the occasional shout, and Hisui had never felt so full in her life. Sighing, she now leaned on her balcony of the house that she lived in alone a few hours later, staring out at the street with a contented look, listening to music on her Mp3. It really felt good to have fun with everyone, to keep her mind from drifting back to the past every so often, with thoughts about the future shown by the actions of the present. Leaning her chin on her hand and her elbow on the balcony railing, she looked out at the trees and wondered again.... where was Vergil and Dante now? How were they faring? Were they watching over her? Were they protecting her from danger? How would she know? Ah... so many questions.... it was impossible to understand them all.

Two walking figures on the road caught her attention and she smiled when the shorter figure noticed her and waved.

"Oiiii, Hisui! You're not in bed yet?" Mahiro asked.

"Nah.. just enjoying the air." Hisui answered cheerfully.

"Anyway, you better get some sleep soon!" Mahiro called back with a grin. "Ja na, Hisui!"

"Hai! Good night, senpai!" Hisui chuckled and waved as they walked away. Takuma turned his head to look back at her and they locked gazes for a bit before the red-head blushed lightly and offered her a smile. She returned it with a smile of her own, and held gazes until he had to turn into another road to get back to his own house. There was no mistaking the expression between the two, although they both denied it vehemently for most of the time.

Hahhhh.... she had fun today, no doubt about that. Hisui now directed her smile at the moon. They were her life now, her friends. They were the ones to ease the sometimes throbbing ache inside of her, and she was grateful for that, very grateful. Closing her eyes, she began singing softly.

Why? Why are you so concerned with the way you look?
Why? Can you not open up your heart a little?
You’ve been taxed by this heavy burden for so long,
It’s time that you learn to accept yourself.
Have more faith in yourself...

Yes... she had to learn to accept herself and just have a bit more faith in herself. Jade was Hisui now, she had moved on into her new life, with new friends... and a new beginning. Smiling still, she turned with a swish of her hair to the breeze, and left to sleep in her room.

Kiss The Rain

A/N: Um.... Let's just say I'm having writer's block yet again, and this song from Yiruma is driving me mad on the piano. Seems so easy, but I swear it's harder than River Flows In You.


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It was.... complicated. Yet Jade Castero's fingers didn't stop moving across the ivory keys of the piano, the song she was playing slow and melancholic, yet somehow glad in a wistful way. It reflected the emotions warring inside her now, her face strangely blank and distracted as she played. She didn't know what to do. She wished that she could just talk to somebody about this, or just sit and cry, but.... she couldn't. Everything was locked deep within her, and she couldn't get it to come out, no matter what.

And so the emotions became a storm that raged deep in her heart, the painful feeling of being torn apart almost driving her mad. She needed a distraction, someone to talk to, but she was alone at the instant, playing on a mini grand-piano in a private room on the second floor of the library, a floor that offered lessons for those interested in musical instruments, piano being one of them. Hizoku, her faithful companion and weapon leaned on the wall next to it, offering her at least a bit of comfort. Jade let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes as her fingers flew across the keys, losing herself slightly in the pure, clear tune the piano made.

It was already getting late and the light in the room was quite dim, but Jade didn't want to stop. It had been so long since she even touched a piano, and getting her hands on one today seemed like a dream come true. Dimly, she even wondered if anyone would come and tell her to stop because it was late, or she was making too much noise. There was another private room next to hers, but that held books that were never allowed to leave the library nor the room. She sincerely hoped that if there was anyone using it right now, he or she wouldn't come in and tell her to leave.
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The piano had been going on for a while now. The silver haired man with the cold blue eyes closed his book with a little annoyed expression, wondering just how long that person intended to tinkle on the instrument. It wasn't that he hated it, but the person was repeating the same tune over and over again. He couldn't deny it, he liked the song. It was slow, soft and well-played, but having to listen to it more than ten times?

Vergil Sparda got up from his seat and made his way out of the reading room to the room next door, only to pause at the sight of the girl sitting on the bench. He recognized her as Jade, his partner during the incident that happened a year back, a talkative girl with guts in the face of danger and determination that really confused him. He also knew that she used to be with his brother Dante, but like he predicted, the relationship didn't last, though it got as far as engagement.

Jade didn't say anything then because she was helping him with a hunt, but moved out completely the moment the job was done, and he hadn't seen her since. But here she was now, as though it was completely natural for her to appear in his life again.

It was strange. Strange how he always bumped into her so unexpectedly. The first time he had met her, she actually possessed the information he so desperately needed in his quest for seeking out the meaning of true power. The second time he bumped into her, he was helping Dante out with an Egyptian demon and yet again, she proved useful with her deep knowledge of the subject. And now...?

Vergil wanted to walk away, but hesitated. It seemed that the life had gone out of the girl, her expression depressed as she played so melancholicly at the piano. He wasn't good around people, but he had to say something to her, right? Instead, he found himself walking into the room, standing behind her as she finished the song. He was sure that Jade saw his form reflected in the polished mahogany of the piano, but she gave no indication that she did, instead changing the song she was playing into a more lively one, as though she was trying to hide something from him.

He had to grudgingly admire the way her mind and fingers changed course from a slow melody to a lively one, yet still had that melancholic feeling behind it. What was she so depressed about? Sometimes humans were so confusing... he'd never understand them.
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Jade knew the instant he came in, and she avoided staring at his reflection as she changed the song from 'Kiss The Rain' to 'River Flows In You', bending her head slightly to let her hair curtain the sides of her face. Was Fate really playing games with her? Bringing the man she had just been thinking about into her life again? Vergil was not someone she wanted to face at the instant, and his presence in the room just brought about some very uncomfortable feelings.

Yes. Jade Fiona Castero was in love with Vergil Sparda. When it had happened? She didn't know... she just knew that after Dante broke up with her, she had been crushed, depressed, and had moved on autopilot for days on end. The only thing that had kept her mind off it and kept her sane was Vergil being on a mission with her.

Because of Vergil, she had tried not to think about it, acting as if everything was alright. Because of Vergil, she had acted cheerful, smiled while she cried inside, taken down every demon that got in their way and completed the hunt professionally. Because of Vergil, she had learned how to hide her feelings, how to go on as if nothing happened. Because of Vergil, she had calmly nodded to Dante once they got back, quietly and calmly went up to their room, packed all her bags and left without a trace.

But when Vergil had disappeared from sight, she had been a mess. Not eating, not drinking, not going out, just lying in bed all day as she wasted her life away. It hurt, hurt so much when Dante was not around, and she didn't know what to do. Vergil was her only anchor in the raging sea of emotions, and as the days passed, she found herself thinking more and more of him and less of Dante.

But.... her fingers missed a key and slipped, causing a discordance, and Jade gave a small gasp, hurriedly correcting her mistake..... when she thought of Dante again, that familliar ache welled up in her chest.

And she didn't know why.

It confused her, emotions battling each other inside, torn between Dante and Vergil. It seemed that she longed for Vergil now, but each time the memory of Dante was dredged up, she found that she still loved him.

Why?

Her fingers began pounding out the rapid tune of the chorus, but a hand closed over her wrist.
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Time seemed to stop for the both of them at the sudden contact of skin on skin. Vergil's grip was firm, but gentle, his voice low as he spoke. "Not this song. The other one."

"Which one?" Jade's voice was soft, completely still in his grip.

"The first one."

Jade raised her head slightly, then gave a small sigh and flexed her fingers again. 'Kiss The Rain' flowed out from the ivory keys, sad and melancholic, really reflecting her mood at that instant. Vergil released her for a while, only to place his hands on her shoulders briefly before dropping them.

It was complicated.... yet the two of them understood without saying anything.

Jade could only play to convey her feelings for him.

Vergil could only offer her his comfort by standing silently by and listening.

Outside, it rained.

Demons, Life and Homework

A/N: College has started. Boo... D: And just as my craze for a Nitendo DS Lite has started because there's a few games I want, especially one by the name of Hiiro no Kakera or Scarlet Fragment. I want that game.. want it sooooooo badly.

So what can I do? I've started to write.. and omg, it's a major crossover again, especially when I should be SO focusing on this year's Inter! >.<
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Demons, Life and Homework
MazdaKitsune

Chapter1- Welcome to College

The half-tanned long, black haired girl with emerald eyes looked up at the building before her and readjusted her white beret-cap on her head, doing a quick check on her clothes before she walked up the stairs to her college. Her new sandals still looking new? Check. Black boot cut jeans that hung on her hips fitted nicely? Check. Her purple top that clung to her fgure tidy and clean? Check. Everything was neat to her. Still, she couldn't help that churning feeling in her stomach as she climbed the stairs and pushed open the glass door, butterflies playing around to make her nervous.

'Come on, Hisui...' Jade Castero aka Hisui Kairi thought to herself as she eyed the group of students sitting around in the Lobby, none of which she recognized. 'This is ridiculous. It's my second year here and here I am, acting as if it's my first. I passed my A-levels, what's there to be nervous about? 19, you're 19.. act 19. You're an Intermediate senior now. Buck up!'

"Hisui!" A shock of golden hair appeared in front of her face and she was almost bowled over by Ririn or Lilith-Anne Vermouth, her coursemate from the A-levels of January the previous year. "You're here too!"

"Lilith!" Hisui gave a squeal of shock and hugged the other girl tightly, feeling a whole lot happier and better now that she had a friend with her. "Like oh my God, can you believe I passed?! I literally passed.. with an E in law!"

"I know, Risa told me!" Ririn grinned, referring to another friend that was missing at the instant. "She said you didn't show up to get your results, but came to register on the Preview day. What happened?"

"I know, I know... sorry." Hisui looked sheepish. "I got so terrified about failing and having to repeat, I just decided not to go get it until a week later. It was stupid, I know... but still.." She struck a pose and announced. "I passed!! There is a God!"

Laughter broke out between the two girls and Ririn linked her arm with hers, dragging her over to the lifts so they could get to the fifth floor, where the reception desk and the library were. "You didn't turn up for prom either, I got so worried. And did you just get even tanner?" She held Hisui back by an arms' length, narrowing her eyes. "I knew it! You're darker than before! Your skin is like a really golden-brown.. Hi-chan.. you remind me of a turkey!"

"I know!"Hisui moaned as the lift doors opened and they got in, pressing the number 5 button. "I went out to Wet World on the 1st of January with May, Shana, Michelle.. three other girls and their friends. We got into the water at 11 after a trek through the entire park because we got lost, and came out at 4. Michelle got sunburned, I got a tan. And it's not going to come off for a long, long time."

"I envy you," the golden-haired said with a pout. "I've always wanted a tan like that."

"Not when everyone compares you to a turkey," Hisui said mournfully as they reached their floor and she held the lift open for a lecturer to get in before they both went out. "Honestly, I preferred my slight tan. That way I wasn't too dark, and wasn't too fair.. but a golden-brown? No, not me."

"Your hair grew out much longer too." Ririn noted, leading the way to the cashier counter to get their Student Passes. "You had a Rhianna styled haircut before, didn't you? That was really short, although the bob suited your face... talking about that.. look who's here..?"

Hisui touched her hair self-consiously, running a hand through it. She had ran it through the straightening irons just make it look straight and neat that day, although it was already straight enough. It had been longer, up till her waist, but after her break-up the year before, had chopped it all off to a short bob in a fit of rebellion and anger. Now it barely fell to the small of her back, but at least it had grown rather long again. And talking about break-ups...

A certain loud-mouthed, silver haired teen stood surrounded by girls, all giggling as he entertained them with stories about himself. Dante Sparda was his usal flirty self, charming the junior girls with his looks and wit. His azure-blue eyes looked up when the two girls walked into the area and met Hisui's, obviously a bit surprised, but before he could lift his arm and hail her, she turned away with a bitter look in her eyes, pulling on Ririn's arm. "Come on, let's go over there. It's too crowded here because someone brought a whole harem with him."

Her words were thoroughly laced with sarcasm, and some of the girls gave her venomous looks although they didn't dare do anything to a senior. Dante however, just looked away as she tugged Ririn to the other end of the counter. The golden-haired girl simply sighed and looked closely at her friend. "You haven't forgiven him, have you?"

"Rin... Drop it." Hisui re-adjusted her beret-cap over her hair and ran her fingers through part of her fringe that fell over her eyes before giving their names to the flustered looking cashier who was looking through a box full of cards, overwhelmed by the amount of students crowding him. "I don't like talking about it... I don't even want to look at his face for now. God, I wish he hadn't passed at all......"

"Dante didn't pass." A cold voice said and they looked up to see Vergil Sparda standing next to them, also waiting patiently for his Student Pass. In contrast to his twin, who was in jeans and a red basketball jersey, Vergil wore a dark blue shirt, neatly tucked into a pair of black pants. "He's repeating the A-levels again and taking the June exams, so you'll be Dante-free for a year." His blue eyes swept over her and he reached out a hand for his card, asking politely for theirs too since the girls couldn't exactly reach the cashier. "My brother's an ass. I'm sorry for what he did to you, but your friend is right. You should forget it. Here." He passed them their card and tags before carving a path out of the body of students in front of them. "I'll be seeing you during class, then. And Lilith, that shirt clashes with your hair."

"It's Ririn, and thanks a lot, Ice Queen. I don't know why he insists on calling me by my French name.. honestly, who would want to be named after a succubus?" Ririn mumbled as she slid the red tag over her head, letting it hang from her neck. "Both brothers are asses.... but is he right? Does this shirt clash with my hair?" She showed off her bright green and black shirt to Hisui and the other girl nodded after a scrutinizing look.

"That bright green is rather sharp on the eyes, you know..."

"I knew it! I am going to KILL Dominique for this!!"Ririn raged, shaking her fist at the thought of her older second brother. "He just wanted to prank me on my first day back in college!!! Arrggh! I am so going to MURDER him!"

"Or.. maybe he has no fashion sense.." Hisui sweatdropped. While Ririn hated her name with a passion and used the Japanese equivalent for it, she used her brothers's names freely although they constantly teased her about wanting to get Japanese names too. "I'm going to see if the computer lab is free for a bit before the orientation starts... want to come along with me?"

"Nah.. I spy with my little eye a certain brown haired person with my entire group there." Ririn gave a quiet squeal as a group of three walked out of the lifts, a girl with flaming red hair, a brown haired boy with another dark-haired guy wearing a cap. "Holy crap, Densuke-kun passed too?! I'll see you later, Hi-chan.. I'm sorry, but I gotta go catch up with them!"

"It's fine, go chase your future husband, Rin-chan." Hisui grinned and watched as her friend took off like a rocket from her side, going after her love-interest. "About time too..." she muttered to herself as she turned to fight her way through to the stairs. "They've been giving each other eyes since they met during the first class last year... love at first sight, geez... Ouch!"

Somebody had totally ran into her, and she collided head-first with another person painfully. "Dammit!"

"Watch where you're going." A rather deep male voice said, and she looked up to see dark red hair and striking purple eyes that were now narrowed into a glare at her.

"Excuse me, you watch where you're going!"Hisui glared back, and would have flipped him the finger if there weren't anybody else around. Instead, she just pulled herself up to her full height... only managing to reach his shoulder, she belatedly realized, and placed a hand on her hip. "New kid?"

The red-head simply ignored her and walked by, acting as if she didn't exist. A red flush of anger and humiliation crept up her face, and she turned to glare at his back, hissing like an annoyed cat. "Teme... How dare you ignore me..." She muttered, a scowl appearing on her face as that glare intensified, reaching out to grab his shoulder. "Oi!"

"I have no business with you, step aside." The male replied before she could touch him, grabbing her wrist roughly in a rather tight hold. It was an unexpected reaction, yet his eyes showed no emotion, just some kind of icy detachment in them. A shiver ran up Hisui's spine. A simple glance, that was all he needed to scare even the bravest warrior.

But Hisui herself was a fighter... she wouldn't back down easily even if he had effectively scared the living daylights out of her with a glance. After all.. she had handled Vergil for a year, and nothing was really scary compared to when Vergil gave you that freezing look.

"Let me go. You idiot, let me go, or I'll bite you!"

This was really unexpected. The students' attention was now focused on the pair, waiting to see if there was going to be a fight or not. Both Hisui and Takuma stood still, yet their gazes clashed like metal swords fencing with each other. Hisui was serious about her threat, though she now stared him in the eyes, face to face. If he didn't let her go, she was going to reach up, and bite his wrist so hard it would leave a scar for a week. It had happened during a catfight with another girl in her school once, but let's not get into that; things would be bad if they were caught fighting and injuring each other, because it either meant expulsion, or suspension for God knows how long.

Takuma simply ignored her yet again, dragging her until she was practically pressed up against a wall, looking dangerously down at her. "I told you to step aside, didn't I?"

"And I'm telling you to let her go." A hand clamped down on his and the two looked up to see Dante hovering above them, his ice-blue eyes blazing. Well, hovering wasn't exactly the correct term since Takuma reached his height somewhat if he pulled himself up... but he let go of her wrist and gave Dante a glare before walking off to collect his card and disappearing from the area.

"You alright?" Dante asked as Hisui rubbed her wrist, her bangs covering her eyes from sight.

"Who asked you to help me?" She muttered under her breath. "Mind your own business next time, Dante."

"Babe.." He reached out to touch her wrist, but she slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me!" Hisui snapped. "You don't have a right to! Look, just back off, alright? I'm a big girl now, I know how to handle this kinds of situations. Why don't you just go back to your A-levels class, before I tell Mr. Kevin that you're playing hooky again?" She dropped her wrist and stood up straight before glaring. "That's an order! You're a junior, right? So respect your senior and get your butt back to class!"

Leaving him startled and slightly affronted, she marched away, fuming as she went.
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The Orientation lecture was held on the 1st floor, in the biggest lecture hall there was, also dubbed "The Freezer" by other students. One, because the air-conditioning in the room was always going at full-blast; Two, because it was so big, they had more air-cond vents than other rooms; and Three, they were placed in the middle of the hall, so no matter where you sat, you literally froze to death.

Ahaha... not to death, really. But it was cold enough to knock you out.

"Trust them to have the lecture here in "The Freezer"." Akamatsu Arisa or Risa complained as she shivered, arms crossed and tucked into the sleeves of her thick jacket as she picked her way towards her friends, taking a seat between Ririn and Hisui after arriving late. "God, I'm freezing here...." She nestled further between them, trying to absorb as much warmth as she could from them.

"No, the question should be, why did I even come today?" Hisui muttered, doodling idly in her notebook to create tiny little hearts with wings. "It's only for those who hasn't been here before... We've already gone through this crap for a year."

"You're cursing." Ririn commented. "I heard you almost got into a fight with some new kid today. Did you punch him back or something for grabbing your wrist like that? Kitty would."

"Kitty? I think she would have done worse," Risa said, referring to their female senior, who was in her second year already, one above them.

"Are you kidding? She broke a beer bottle over a guy's head in the club once," Hisui chuckled, remembering that one night when she had gone clubbing with her seniors. "How worse could that get? No... Dante-freaking-Sparda came to play hero again. I pulled rank and told him to get his ass back to class."

"No way!" Ririn exclaimed, then immedieately shut her mouth when a few students turned in her direction. Once they had turned away again, she continued in a whisper, "That must have either pissed him off, or embarassed him. You did that in front of everyone?"

"What else could I do?" Hisui countered, then straightened when Mr. Jarrod came walking in. He was a young, handsome man in his mid-twenties, with close cropped hair and a youthful face. But in spite of his looks, he was quite the strict person in his classes, and a very good lecturer. "Uh oh... it's Mr. Jarrod. I guess it's time to shut up. You know how he's like about people talking during his class. But I like him... whatever he teaches stays in our brains."

"I second that." Risa replied, looking relieved that at least they knew one of their Law lecturers was a strict, but good lecturer. "He's bound to give us a taste of Contract Law, so we had better focus."
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All in all, the Orientation class was pretty... boring and refreshing at the same time. After three months of not touching the books, some students found their memory being jogged as familiar topics, phrases and cases were brought up, the lecturers giving their students a dose of what to come. The boring part for most were only for ex-A-levelers of the college, when the principal himself came to tell them about their courses, a verbal tour of the campus, a reminder for new students to always make sure they checked in each day with their Student Passes at the computers in the Lobby for Attendance, and of course.. the dress code.

A few people sweatdropped at this one. It wasn't a uniform or strict dress code per se, but there had cases of students wearing slippers or skirts that showed a really good portion of leg, shorts that looked like some boys were going to a beach party, and.. um... really, really mini clothing. Example of cases; the current A-levelers that were about to sit for their June exams. The college really had no choice but to prohibit these kind of clothing, after a few certain rebels got into trouble.

That was that, and at the end of the day, Hisui took a seat on the stairs outside the building while waiting for her ride to come pick her up. "I'm so glad it's over. Really... it's such a hassle on the first day."

"You're not the only one who doesn't like getting up early." Risa gave her a sympathetic smile. "How are you going back?"

"My brother should be around by... now." Just as the words left Hisui's mouth, a shappire blue Mazda Rx-7 Spirit R came down the road, coming to a halt in front of the building. The window rolled down and a handsome ivory-haired man poked his head out before giving a wink to the three girls. "Ladies."

"Your brother is hot!" Ririn exclaimed, Risa grinning as she waved, Hisui getting up and adjusting her bag over her shoulder. "Now, I wouldn't mind going out with him... Mind giving us his number?"

Hisui shot them all an amused look and pointed at them. "You..." she pointed at Ririn. "... have a boyfriend. And you..." her finger shifted to Risa. "... already have a fiance, courtesy of your parents. So lay off. Haken is mine." With that, she laughed and waved before going down the steps and getting into the car.

"So, how was your first day?" With a final wave at the open-mouthed Ririn and Risa, Haken Browning gunned the engines and drove off as she strapped in, giving her a glance.

"Interesting, boring and bad," Hisui declared after strapping in and leaned back, looking out the window. "Some punk bumped into me, then picked a fight with me. He didn't even say sorry! And then my idiot of an ex had to step in when all I want to do is never see his face again! I wonder whether it's too late for me to change colleges...."

"It is too late, I guess," Haken replied to that. "Aschen already paid the fees, so you can't go anywhere else. Who was this guy you're talking about anyway? Did he hurt you?"

"Don't know and I don't care." It was clear Hisui was still stewing over it, the girl able to hold a grudge for a long, long time once she had been rubbed on her bad side. "He had this dark red hair, though.. and striking purple eyes. No, he didn't really hurt me, he just grabbed my wrist."

As she said it, her hand rubbed her wrist absently again. It didn't hurt, nor was she hurt, but she remembered the strength in his grip. The red-head was really strong, almost as if his grip wasn't human. She wondered slightly about that, as much as she hated that guy, there was something about him that didn't seem remotely human.