"Hey give that back!"

"You'll have to try harder than that!"

"God! I hate you!"

"Heh, tell me something I don't know."

I pouted. My brother, Takashi, was dangling my necktie above me, and just out of my reach. If only i could grow just a foot or so and crush him, then maybe, i wouldn't be the 'chibi' of the family.

"Seriously! I'm going to be late for school!"

"Hmm...when you put it like that, definetly not!"

The orange necktie was my victory flag to complete my uniform before going to school. Oh! Let me fill you in on what's going on. My name's Yukari Suminoe. I'm 15 and a freshman at Suroyu High School. My older, and jerk of a brother, Takashi Suminoe was always teasing me. Although we fought a lot, I knew he secretly cared for me.

"Takashi," said my dad coming out from the kitchen, "Give your sister back her necktie."

Takashi smirked, "Aww dad, I was only teasing her. Honestly, though, you must be the shortest freshman in your class!"

"I think the term would be freshwoman!" I said grabbing my scarf from his outreached hand.

"Either way, you're still a chibi-suke."

"Don't call me that!" I shouted.

My dad frowned, "Yukari, keep your voice down."

"Yeah chibi, you'll scare the neighbors you short ball of fury you."

I frowned angrily and kicked my brother in the leg.

"Ow! Jesus Yu-chan!"

"Don't you Yu-chan me!"

My dad sighed, "Maybe you two will behave if I say you can't have your breakfast pancakes since they are ready."

That immediately shut us up as dad placed two large stacks of pancakes on the table in front of us.

"Wow, chibi-suke is a ball of fury that can eat twice as much too!"

I glared at him, my leg poised to kick him again under the table when the door swung open.

"Good morning cousin Yu-chan!!"

In walked my cousin, who happened to live next door, and her sister: Yuko and Miyoko Kirojima.

" 'Sup guys." I said through a mouthful of pancakes.

"Sooo...are you ready? Ooh pancakes!" squealed Yuko. Which by now you see that she's the loudmouth.

"Good morning you two." said dad, "Would you like some Yuko?"

"Would I!? I-I mean, thank you very much," she replied as she bowed.

Yuko sat next to me at the table as a stack of pancakes was set in front of her.

"Eat up!" He turned to Miyoko, "Anything for you?"

"Orange juice...please," she added, eyeing her sister who was wolfing down her first bite of pancakes.

Miyoko was the older and more quiet sister than Yuko. With excellent grades, a lot of people wanted to be like her, but her quiet figure and her tendency to stare caused people to be afraid of her.

After breakfast, I said good-bye to dad and Takashi, and with Yuko and Miyoko in tow, I got my bike and waited while Miyoko-chan and Yuko-chan strapped on their rollerskates.

"Oh! I almost forgot!"

I dashed up the stairs and to the windowsill looking out to the rest of the neighborhood where a shrine was built for my mom. My mom was Maria Suminoe. She was gorgeous with beautiful shiny long black hair and clear skin that made her bright green eyes shine.

I kissed my index and middle fingers and put it on her picture of her giving a small, yet gentle smile with her kind eyes. I burned the incense, then rushed downstairs to my friends.

"What was that all about?" asked Yuko wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Oh, just saying hi to mom and burning her incense. Lately, Takashi hasn't been doing it though..."

"Aww, how sweet!" gushed Yuko.

The memories with mom reminded me that she was gone.  I tried to blink back tears, but Miyoko caught me.

Miyoko gave me a small smile and patted my back, "We all miss her. Don't worry, I'm sure that she's doing fine. Aunt Maria is in a better place now."

I sniffed, "Yeah. You're right."

Mom died when i was only 6 years old, so i never really got to know her, but nonetheless, i still missed her.

"Well, shall we?" said Yuko pointing in the direction toward school.

"Let's go." said Miyoko patting my back again and skating ahead of me.

I hopped on my bike and followed after them.

==================================

Translator Notes:

Orange scarf- Despite what school you go to, public or private, you still wear a uniform that resembles a sailor's uniform. Almost all schools in Japan have students wear uniforms, which were inspired by the British.

Chibi/Chibi-suke- Chibi is someone unusually small, but cute looking. Suke is a masculine ending. Yukari is not really masculine, but is small, which is why she took it offensively.

-Chan- Literally means 'friend.' Used as a term of endearment among friends or couples.

Bowing- Shows politeness and is used to greet or address someone. A person who lives in Japan for a certain period of time will find bowing to be a habit.

Shrine- Usually set up for the loss of a family member.

=================================

My second book on this site!  I actually wrote this book a long time ago, but never got around to editing it.  But trust me, in the future, it will be under heavy re-editing.  I hope the translator notes are accurate, I know some of the names for my characters aren't real Japanese names (just something my young, fertile imagination tried to create).  I'll get around to changing those as well.

Cover art was made by my friend.

2: Mysterious Book, Mysterious Girl

Ding-ding-ding-ding!

The bell rang signaling the end of class. Many students yawned, stretched their legs from under their desks and started whispering. All of them were excited to get out of the classroom, as was I.

Our teacher, Sensei Tsuyori, closed her book and pointed toward the board, "Your homework is on the board. Don't forget to do it! Those of you, and you know who you are, that need to make up their summer homework, it's due by the end of the week. And don't forget the exams you're going to take next week!"

The class groaned.

"But just to let you know..." Sensei paused for a bit thinking what she would say next, "I won't accept 'sick days' from you guys so you better show up!"

The class gasped in surprise.

She must have known that that's what most of the class was going to do! I held back a giggle as Sensei walked out the room and the class started to talk loudly.

I stretched my legs from under my desk and my arms high above me. What a day, what a day, I thought.

I leafed through my briefcase making sure and double-checking that I had all my books with me. Then I lifted up my now heavy briefcase and walked through the traffic of kids to the back of the classroom where Yuko had her head on her desk, as usual.

"Yuko, wake up." I said while shaking her shoulders gently.

Yuko opened up one eye groggily and lazily looked up at me, then slowly closed it again.

"Yuko? C'mon wake up we can go home now."

I shook her harder until she finally lifted her head just a little, "There. You're awake now. Let's go home."

"Hm? Ok...then..." she yawned and stretched, then looked down at her desk, "Looks like I accidentally drooled on my notes again." She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Well, it's not like you had a lot to begin with anyway. So you've got nothing to lose right?"

"Speaking of my notes, can i borrow yours? I can't make out mine." She squinted at the paper, "And i think some of my notes are smudged from my drool."

"Gross Yuko! But you're better off asking Miyoko-chan or Kakari-chan for notes. After all, if yours are barely legible, mine are neat but not finished. Whatever, let's go home."

"Ok. Just give me a minute to pack."

As soon as Yuko finished packing we were bound toward home. There was an awkward silence that I didn't know how to fill, or what to say to fill it.

"So...do you have to do over your summer homework?" I asked.

"What? What's that supposed to mean?" said Yuko defensively.

"Oh! I didn't mean it that way, I'm just wondering..."

Yuko normally didn't get good grades and was tired of being compared to her older sister for not only grades, but basically everything. Luckily, my older brother was much of an airhead and got average grades, so I had no problem there.

Yuko sighed, "Well, what do you think?"

"I'd take that as a maybe?"

"Of course I have to do it over! Miyoko refused to help me when I tried asking her. She said it will teach me that I shouldn't do it during the last week of vacation.

"I guess that's sisterly love. Or tough sisterly love"

"Yeah..." Yuko stared into the sky, "But Miyoko is good at times, so I guess it's ok."

We reached our houses and went our separate ways. First I check the mail to see what's new, then I notice a package was wedged in our small mailbox. Strangely enough, it's addressed to me. I rarely get mail, much less a package, so I immediately knew it could be something special.

I looked through the rest of the mail. Ho hum the usual. Nothing special really. Then I made my way to the door where I took off my shoes and slipped into my house slippers before showing my dad the mail.

"Look dad! I got a package in the mail." I showed him the package and he looked at it briefly.

"Well, that's nice. You have to thank the person who sent it to you."

"Right." I looked down at the return address. The street and number were unfamiliar. I made a mental note to look it up.

Just then the door slammed and in walked my brother, fresh from soccer practice complete with sweat all over his body and his uniform with some grass stains on it.

He looked down at me and noticed the package in my hand, "Whatcha' got there chibi?"

My dad shook his head, "Takashi, for once can you not call your sister a chibi? She's still growing you know."

"Yeah, but at this rate? She'll never catch up." He laughed.

"You're such a...jerk!" I swung my leg about to kick him in the shin when he grabbed me and hoisted me up over his shoulder.

"Put me down you overstuffed ape!"

"In your dreams chibi. I'll hang you there until you pass out."

I pondered this for a bit, "Well, if you're gonna keep me over your shoulder, you might as well carry me up to my room."

He grunted, then reluctantly took me up the stairs. Another one of his not-so-genius plans backfired. Takashi dropped me off at my room, "Thank you very much," I said, "Consider it an honor to carry the 'chibi' up to her quarters."

"Yeah yeah, whatever" he replied with a roll of his eyes.

I smirked, "Don't act like that! I know that you care for me, but have a hard time showing it."

"Who told you that?" he said wiping sweat from his bangs.

"Dad did."

"Well dad's lying."

"I highly doubt it. So I think I win here." I gave him my biggest grin then closed the door.

Whew, one problem solved, another to go. I stared down at the package that was still in my hands. I didn't know why, but I was afraid to open it thinking that something bad was going to happen if I did.

I put the package to my ear and slightly shook it. Not a sound. Judging by the rectangular shape and medium weight, it might be a book, lovely. I wasn't an avid reader and didn't go gaga over it like my friend Kakari Kinoshita, but I would rather read manga.

Sitting on my soft bed, I slowly undid the packaging. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the package gave me an empty feeling of dread that I couldn't explain. Once I got the packaging off, I tore off the bubble wrap which I happily put aside on my desk for popping later. It looks like my guessing was right, it was a book. Something, though, was missing. I opened it and immediately found the error, the package wasn't heavy, it was light, and that's because it had only one page in it!

"What the-? Is this some kind of sick joke my friends put on me?"

I looked at the top of the page and found two words that I hadn't noticed. Two words that little did I know would start my adventure. I read the words aloud in a quiet, stunned voice, "Prepare yourself."

 

I stared at the words until my eyes hurt from focusing on them too much. I rubbed my eyes, then stared again. Yeah, this was totally the work of Yuko or Kakari. I think their otaku minds were formulating this the whole time, ha ha very funny.

I was about to call them when I remembered to look up the return address. Wait a minute, if this came from Yuko or Kakari, then that means that I don't have to send a thank you note to them. This was probably a practical joke. And I was the fool for thinking that it was special. But this book probably is special in its own way, guess I'll keep it then.

"Yukari! Takashi! Dinnertime!"

I put the book on my desk and bolted out of the room. Takashi followed after me at a much slower pace. We both sat down at the table.

"Glad to see you've settled down. Now, who's ready for takoyaki?!"

Dad set down a huge platter of takoyaki, "Eat up!"

"Yeah! Thanks for the food dad!" I said as i gobbled up a few takoyaki.

"Well this puts a whole new meaning to-"

"Don't. Even. Think. About it." I warned my brother, "Unless you want another bruise in the shin?"

"Heh, you don't scare me chibi."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "One of these days, nii-san, one of these days..."

After dinner I went back upstairs. While I walked up, I started to wonder what 'prepare yourself' really meant. It couldn't possibly mean to actually prepare myself could it? And if so, for what? These were thoughts that I didn't want dominating my mind. So I decided to call up Yuko and clear all the confusion.

The phone rang a few times, but their was still no answer. On the 4th ring when I was about to give up, Yuko picked up the phone, "Hello hello?"

"Hey, Yuko, did you send me a package with a fake return address as a practical joke or something?"

"Huh?"

"You know what you did! So did you? After all, it isn't a normal book and it had a street address I never even heard of."

"Well, it could be from some other city in Japan or something. But it definitely wasn't from me."

"Oh..." This made me really wonder who could of sent it, "Well sorry for bothering you."

"Yeah, ok then. See ya!"

I clicked off then quickly dialed Kakari's house. The phone rang twice before she picked up, "Hello! You've reached the Kinoshita's residence. Kakari Kinoshita speaking."

"Why so formal?"

"Oh Yukari! Sorry, we don't have caller ID at my house so I didn't know it was you."

That's understandable, I thought, "Well did you send me a package by any chance?" I asked crossing my fingers that it was her so I could get this whole thing over with.

"A package? Not that I know of. I don't think I mailed anything to you."

"Oh, ok then." I sighed as I uncrossed my fingers, "Well thanks anyway."

"No problemo! Call me anytime, 'kay?"

"Yeah sure, see ya." I clicked off then put the phone back in its cradle before heading off to my room. Closing the door behind me, I picked up the packaging paper again, then put it on my desk as I sat down at my chair turning on my computer.

As soon as I got on the internet, I looked up the address and clicked 'search.' I clicked immediately on the first link leading to the address. A nice house with a creamy off-white color and green lawn showed up. I scrolled down hoping to find more information, then I looked at the picture of the house again. It looks western, maybe it's a house farther out of the city and in the suburbs.

I looked for more clues, then got the information I want that shocked me quite a bit: the house wasn't in Tokyo, or in any place in Japan! It read United States of America. What kind of person knows me that's in America that sent me a package with only one page?

I clicked exit and turned off the computer. Oh well, it's probably nothing to worry about. With that I got to work on my homework.

 

The next day during home room the class was frantically finishing last minute homework, checking answers, and talking excitedly. Apparently, there was word that a new student who, coincidentally, transferred from America. When I told Miyoko and Yuko about this, they shrugged it off as nothing. When I told Kakari, she said it was suspicious indeed and to keep an eye out while she did the same. I was glad to know that someone had my back

Sensei Tsuyori walked in and the class started to quiet eager for her to confirm their rumors.

"Well as many of you know, and I'm not sure how, but there is indeed a new student starting here at Suroyu High School today. Now please welcome, Sakura! Come on in."

As soon as people got a look at her every mouth gaped open in surprise.

Sakura had long dark pink hair with razor straight bangs and bright blue eyes. Her skin was literally flawless and she had long legs that were covered with long white socks up to her thighs. Even though she was wearing the winter uniform with the long sleeves instead of the short kind, she still looked beautiful.

Her eyes darted around the room surveying her classmates. She met everyone's gaze. When she reached my eyes, i looked away. Something about her was off that I couldn't put my finger on. Something told me that she wasn't normal, but then again, everyone was different.

"Well Sakura," said Sensei Tsuyori filling in the silence of the others, "Tell us a bit about yourself and where you transferred from."

Sakura started to speak in a voice that sounded like silk, "I transferred from America."

Many people shared a thumbs up and some said 'aha!' while others simply said 'I told you so' or 'I knew it.'

"Anything else?" asked Sensei.

"Well, I've traveled everywhere. This is my second time in Japan. My dad has a job that is constantly making him move so I've been able to pick up some of the language of different countries until I could speak them fluently."

"Amazing! What languages do you speak?" asked Sensei.

"Aside from Japanese, I speak Spanish, French, Italian, German, English, and Chinese. My Korean is a little rusty but it counts."

Wow. She's really good! I thought.

"Do you have any interests?"

"I like horseback riding, ice skating, soccer, drawing, cooking, talking with friends..." she stopped to think some more, "In truth, I like doing a lot of girly things. And some boyish things too."

The students gasped and murmured in amazement.

Sensei nodded, then motioned to an empty seat right behind me, "Your seat is right behind Yukari. Everyone, make um...what's your last name sweetie?"

Sakura shook her head, "Sorry, I can't tell you. Please just call me Sakura."

"Right. Everyone, make Sakura feel welcome." Sensei felt uncomfortable saying her first name aloud and I could sense it. Yet Sakura seemed unfazed. She made her way to the seat behind me.

While Sensei talked about some of the news and events going on I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and Sakura quickly handed me a note, then put a finger to her lips.

I turned back around and opened the note. It read: I know who you are. You are different, just like me. I don't mean to scare you. But i must see you and your friend in the back over there after school. Your place. I will tell you the secrets of that book you got. Don't tell anyone! And don't discuss this during school!

I whipped my head around to look at her, then motioned to the note with my eyes giving her an are-you-crazy? look. She simply put a finger to her lip and motioned me to turn away before Sensei suspected anything. My heart thumped in my chest as I turned around. For once, I wished school could last longer so I didn't have to face her and the 'secrets' of the book after school.

========================================

Translator Notes:

Sensei- teacher.  Literally means "one who has come before"

Homework- usually, the summer break for students in Japan is a month and a half that starts in late July and ends in the middle of August. It is the break between the first and second trimester in school and students are given an enormous amount of homework to do thinking that they will ration it to do a little every day. Usually they wait until the last week to do it. After school starts again, they have a week to study for exams next week on what they learned from the first semester.

Slippers- houses in Japan are very clean. And how? Usually shoes are left at the front door of the house and are traded for house slippers to walk around in

Takoyaki- a dough that is fried in a round fashion like donut holes except they have octopus in the dough and are glazed with a sauce and occasionally, have seaweed sprinkles on top

Your last name please?- in Japan, it is considered rude to use a person's first name without getting to know them better. This explains why Sensei Tsuyori and the students felt uncomfortable using her first name and only knowing what she likes

Manga- as many of you know, it is a Japanese comic that is in black and white, and is read from right to left

Otaku- people who are obsessed over manga and anime that they start to see everything in a manga/anime worldview. Some otaku even cosplay

Nii-san- literally means "big brother." This is usually used when a younger brother or sister, is addressing an older brother. Nee-san has the same rule except the younger brother/sister is addressing an older sister. This can also be used for people who are older and are seen in a brotherly/sisterly light

3: Secrets

Throughout the entire day my mind was racing.  I couldn't focus on anything and my heart pounded hard whenever Sakura came around.  I had no idea what might happen, but I sure wasn't sticking around to find out!  I tried to tell Yuko, but she thought I was making it up and Sakura was a 'nice enough' girl that wouldn't do that.  I couldn't bring myself to tell Miyoko or Kakari about it either for fear of the note that said not to tell them.

All day, whenever Sakura walked through the halls, boys turned their heads and their jaws dropped, girls went green with envy, and teachers were all over her academic abilities.  Even I had to admit, she was the goddess that everyone wanted to be. 

During P.E. she broke the record for fastest lap (8.6 seconds set by Miyoko) and got the attention of even the P.E. teacher who was almost never impressed.  Luckily, P.E. was the only class that she and I didn't have, and it sure took my mind off things!  It was so hot outside and we were unjustly forced to run laps. 

I sat near the fountains wiping my sweaty bangs with my towel and watching Yuko splash cold water on her face.

"So how about that new girl?"

I rolled my eyes, "Let's not talk about her.  I have enough to deal with without her being there."

Tsk tsk tsk

Yuko shook her head, "Someone is jealous of someone else..."

"Who me?" I said with mock expression, "Jealous of her??  Yeah right."

"No seriously.  Almost every girl is jealous of her.  Not just her abilities, but her looks too.  It would make sense though, even I have to admit she is pretty."

I sighed.  As unfortunate as it was, it was true.  Yuko had a point of stating the overly obvious. 

"Alright boys and girls!  Back on the track!"

Yuko grunted and I sighed again as we jogged back to the track.

 

"Gah!  I can't feel my legs!  They've turned to jelly!"

It was study hall and I was patting Yuko on the head as she complained about her legs.

"It'll go away, Yuko.  It's not that bad."

"No.  I seriously feel like crap right now.  I can't move or walk.  I can't even hold a pencil!"  Yuko looked at me with puppy dog eyes, "Could you carry me?  Pretty please?"

"Heck no!"  I said, "You're so much taller than me.  You could break my back!"

"So you're saying I'm overweight?"

"No!  It's just..."  I scrambled to find the right words, "It's just...that...the taller you get don't you notice you get a bit heavier?"

"True, true..." said Yuko.  Maybe this was one of those situations where Yuko had no idea what some people were saying, which thankfully got me out of a fight. 

I looked at the front of the room where Sakura was busily finishing homework.  I didn't notice that I was staring until she turned around and put a finger to her lips.  I quickly looked away and back at Yuko who was staring at me.

"Why do you keep staring at Sakura?"

"Oh!  Uh, no reason.  Hey, do you wanna come over after school?"

Yuko pondered this for a second, "Will there be snacks?"

I rolled my eyes, "Of course.  You come over so often that we should literally have a cabinet just for you marked: Yuko's snacks."

"Great!  Then yes."

I looked at Sakura again, then back at Yuko.  I hope this staring wouldn't become a habit.

 

On the way back home Yuko was chatting excitedly.  I finally turned to her, "Yuko.  Do you believe in the supernatural?"

"Eh? what kind of question is that?"

"Well, I don't know.  Sakura seems strange to me.  All of a sudden showing up toward the middle of the school year.  And her looks, they seem, fake."

Yuko gasped, "Fake? Did you say fake?  Sakura is not  a fake.  In fact, didn't you say she was coming over?"

"Crap!!"

I totally forgot.  If she was coming over, then wouldn't that mean I would finally find out about that book.  I sure did hope so. 

By the time we got home Sakura was already there.  I jumped back, "Woah!  That is not  possible!  You left after us!"

Sakura shrugged, "I have my ways."

"And, how did you get our address?  I didn't give it to you!"

"Would you believe me if I said from your friend Miyoko?" 

Mental note to self: kill Miyoko when I finish talking to Sakura.

"Well anyway, I'm here now and ready to answer all the questions you have.  To your room?"

I sighed, but Yuko rushed in.  Probably for the snacks.  As soon as Yuko rushed in she bumped into my brother. 

"It's the chibi!"  He stared at Sakura, "...And friends." 

I glared my eyes at him, "Not. In. The. Mood."

He shook his head, "Well the snacks are in the cabinet Yu-... Yuko?  Where did she go?"

"Behind you already in the cabinet."

"Wow.  She can eat twice as much as your size."

I was about ready to swing my leg toward his shin when Sakura stepped between us and held her hand up toward Takashi. 

"Yukari.  Takashi.  You shouldn't fight.  Just know that Yukari will need you later on more than ever.  And as the older brother, you must protect her."

Takashi stared at Sakura, "Wow.  Major Star Wars moment.  Looks like your friends are just as weird as you."

I was really about to give it to him when Sakura grabbed my hand and stormed up the stairs with Yuko behind us, "Hey!  Wait!  These snacks are heavy!"

 

All three of us sat on my floor.  Sakura and I stared at each other while Yuko gobbled up some Pocky Sticks.  I had nothing to say, at least to her.  I doubted that she could answer some of my questions, but I decided to give it a shot.  I took out my book and showed it to her.

"What's this?"

"A book."  Sakura said ever so bluntly.

"I know that!  I'm asking why I got it and what it's for!"

Sakura took the book and showed me the words, "You read these words, and I appeared.  It was like a keyword that started your quest."

"Ugh!"  I gave myself a facepalm and pointed a finger at her, "That didn't answer my question.  Why did I get it?  Just answer that!"

Sakura ran her finger along the binding, "Your mom.  She was just like you.  There are four elements in this world: water, fire, earth, and air.  There is a person who can control all these elements, but lives as a normal person.  It's in an attempt to create balance on earth and heaven.  When your mom died, she was the last person to get all those elements..."

I sat stunned at the fact that my mom was like a supernatural being, "Does that mean that since I was so much like her, I have all those elements."

"No."

Way to kill the moment Sakura.  I sighed, "So, what do I have?"

"I'm not done yet.  When you were born, your powers depended on the equal balance of your personality.  But your personality was much fire than anything.  Your mom feared that the other elements would go crazy if there wasn't an equal balance.  So she used the last of her power to distribute the other elements to other girls who's personality's matched the other elements.  Your job, Yukari, is to find them and train together."

"Woah, woah, woah..."  I put my hands up signaling a time out, "You're saying I a.) have powers over fire and b.) need to find the other elements.  How do I do that??"

Sakura held up the mysterious book, "There are hints in this book.  It's helped all the other girls who hold the elements and it can help you, divided or not."

I took the book from her and looked at the two words.  I frowned, then suddenly thought of something.  Maybe if I concentrated long and hard enough, I could uncover the magic of those two words. 

"It won't work." said Sakura.

I gasped, "How?  Wha-?  You read my mind!?"

She nodded her head, "The only way to uncover more words is to follow the instructions on the book.  It will gradually grow words and pages.  I told you about your power over fire.  Now since you realized it, your powers will start to awaken."

I rolled my eyes.  Takashi was right, this was certainly a 'Star Wars' moment. 

"Now since I told you, you must 'prepare yourself'  by accepting your powers and be willing to train."

I didn't know what to say or do.  I didn't want to get tangled in an entire universe's existence and screw things up.  At the same time, it seemed interesting.  My inner voices of reason battled out until curiosity won.

"I accept."

Sakura smirked, "Good.  You'll see the words appear soon.  Your sole duty is to find the other three elements.  Got that?"

I nodded, "Sure.  Whatever."

Then Sakura got up, "I have another secret.  But you must not tell anyone!  I mean it!"

Yuko nodded excitedly.  She was always up for something exciting.

Sakura took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and concentrated.  A bright light appeared around her as two wings appeared from her back.  My eyes popped wide open. That would explain the whole pure aura thing and her beauty and languages!  She's an angel! 

As soon as the wings set she flapped them a few times, "Yes.  I'm an angel sent to earth to help you.  Heed my advice.  Okay?"

Yuko and I nodded in unison.

"Good."  Sakura said while backing away from us, "And now, I must take my leave."

She turned around, raised her hands in front of her and opened my locked window.  Then taking a step toward the window, she raised her fluffy white wings, and leaped off the ground toward the open air.  Yuko and I stared in amazement as she flew higher and farther, pretty soon becoming nothing but a black speck in an orange and red sky.

========================================

Translator Notes:

Pocky stick - a graham cracker stick covered in chocolate.  It also comes in a strawberry flavor.  One of my favorite snacks

4: A Helpful Hint

Yuko and I stared in awe as Sakura gracefully left our presence and flew toward her own home.  Out of all the mystical beings she was an angel?  It stunned us both and none of us talked for a few moments until Yuko broke the silence, "That.  Was.  Awesome!!  I want wings just like that!"

I shook my head, "I highly doubt you would use them correctly.  The second you get off the ground you'll probably be flying straight into a wall."

Yuko glared at me, "Like you would do any better."

"I think I would.  May I remind you that you are eating my snacks."

Yuko fumed quietly as she munched on her second pack of pocky sticks.

I stood up and closed the window and locked it.  It amazed me how she could be so carefree yet powerful at the same time.  Just what kind of angel is she anyway? 

Suddenly Takashi burst into my room and picked me up by the waist, again.  I was honestly getting tired of him, "Yo chibi!  Dad's been calling you for the past few minutes.  Didn't you hear him?"

"Honestly.  I didn't" I said bluntly to him, "I would greatly appreciate it if you put me down."

He slowly lowered me then pointed toward the door, "Your father awaits, oh princess who happens to be my sister."

I glared at him while I passed him and hurried down the stairs.  I found my dad sitting at the table staring at the box my book had come in.  The box!  I forgot all about it!  He would be wondering whether or not I sent a thank you note! 

I stood still until my father noticed me staring, "Oh Yukari.  Come sit a moment.  I'm having some trouble."  I looked at his laptop wide open and had a bad feeling that he was looking up the address that didn't exist in Japan but in America. 

"Yukari, I keep looking up the address and it gives me results that are overseas.  We have no relatives overseas at the moment except your aunt who's vacationing in France.  I just don't understand why this package came from the United States.  Do you have any idea?"

I shrugged, "Beats me dad.  But there was nothing special in there."

My dad raised an eyebrow, "Oh really?  What did you get that was 'nothing special.'"

"Um, well..."  I scrambled to find a way around the truth.  If I told my dad about the book, he would want to see it.  If I stalled too much he would suspect something and find a way to get the book from my room.  A lie.  I needed a lie.  That was all it took to dismiss his question.

"Well?"

I quickly made it up, "Just a few souvenirs.  Like charm bracelets and stuff.  I have a friend who's an exchange student and she sent me some stuff that she thought I might like."

There.  That was good.  My dad would totally believe that.  It wasn't entirely false.  I did have a friend that went as an exchange student, but she was back already.

"Oh I see.  An exchange student.  Well that was nice."

Phew.  Crisis averted.  Sakura had warned me not to tell anyone in the note right?  Guess I had to stick to it or God knows what will happen.

 

The next day at school, Sensei Tsuyori kept looking at me.  She would call on me and Yuko a lot and Sakura seemed to be hanging closer around us.  Much to the dismay of the boys and making the girls go crazy jealous over us. 

Pretty soon the lunch bell sounded and everyone eagerly got their lunch with people murmuring about how hungry they were.  I grabbed my lunch and went to Yuko who was surprisingly awake. 

"I'm starving!" she said as she put away her books, "I forgot to bring my lunch, so let's eat in the cafeteria."

"Of course." I said rolling my eyes.  Yuko, being the forgetful type, would sometimes remember and sometimes not remember to bring her lunch.  When she didn't, we ate in the cafeteria, but would practically salivate over her lunch that we would abandon ours and get something too.

Yuko and I met with Miyoko and Kakari and together went into the cafeteria. 

"I'll grab a table." said Kakari waving as she left.

"Ok." we said. 

I turned to Miyoko, "Did you forget your lunch too?"

She shook her head, "No.  But they have some miso ramen that I want."

I looked up at the menu.  There wasn't a lot, but I settled for curry.  Yummy!

"What are you getting Yuko?" I asked.

"Hmm..." Yuko tapped her chin lightly, "I don't want anything but desert.  I've been craving sweets all day..."

I giggled, "Yuko, you crave sweets all the time!  It wouldn't make much of a difference if you just got something to eat with a desert."

"But I don't know if I'll have room."

"You always have room," said Miyoko, "I don't see why you can't get both."

"You know what?  You're right!"  Yuko pounded her fist on her hand, "Alright!  Bring on the spicy ramen and melon bread!"

"Melon bread?  Technically I wouldn't call it desert.  But whatever floats your boat." I said shrugging.

Once we got to the front we ordered and got our food.  Then navigated through the crowded cafeteria until we found the seats Kakari saved for us.  Kakari was busy shooing boys away from a certain dark pink haired person with blue eyes (guess who). 

I sighed and sat down across from her.  Everything about her was just...so...perfect.  Her hair, her smile, her teeth, her figure, and even her posture and eating style.  It somewhat irritated me. 

"So what did you get?" asked Kakari. 

"Spicy ramen and melon bread." said Yuko proudly, "That's right.  A two-in-one deal."

"Ok then."

We ate silently for a few minutes.  No one knew what to say.  We couldn't goof around like we usually do because Sakura was there.  And because she was so perfect, it was like we had to be perfect too.  Thankfully, the bell rang and I rushed out faster than the bullet train. 

First she steals the attention of others, then she wows/freaks out my brother, and now she's trying to steal my friends??  How much longer do I have to put up with this??

I kept running until I panted for breath back at my next class: cooking.  It was perfect.  Angels probably didn't know how to cook that well on account of the 'not hungry not thirsty because I don't need food/water' deal.  I was about to go inside when a hand reached out and pulled me back. 

I looked behind me scared out of my mind then relaxed when I saw it was Sensei Tsuyori.

"Oh hi Sensei, is there something wrong?"

"No.  But I have something to give you."

Sensei slowly pulled a necklace with a silver cross on it on a black chain.  In the middle was a jade that sparkled when it caught the light. 

"This is an ancient necklace.  They say it can protect from evil.  I was told to give this to you on your quest.  It has special properties.  Don't lose it and wear it wherever you go!"

"Wait, you know our secret?"

Sensei nodded, "I, like Sakura, was told to help you.  When the time comes, you'll see me in battle."

"What?"

But Sensei quickly backed away and disappeared in the wave of kids going to their classes.  I held up the necklace then lowered again.  This thing was supposed to help me.  It's nothing more than a mere accessory!  I held it up and looked at the beautiful jade in the middle.  But then again, it is awfully pretty.  Guess I should keep it. 

I quickly stuffed it in my pocket and slipped into class.

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Translator Notes:

Cafeteria - A place where students go to eat.  In Japan the cafeteria orders enough food for the lunch crowd at a local café.  Those who are early get the tastiest stuff while those who are late vouch for anything at all.

Miso/spicy ramen - Ramen is Chinese noodles.  Fill with hot water and let it seep for 3 min. and there you go.  As the name suggests, spicy ramen is spicy flavoring in ramen while miso ramen is a salty-like seasoning with diced vegetables like green onion and leeks and tofu.

Melon bread - a fluffy bread shaped like a melon that doesn't even taste like melon! Well, its not your ideal dessert, but sometimes they put custard as a filling.  The cross marks on the bread, which looks like a cut melon, is why they call it melon bread.

Bullet train - as many know, it's the fastest train in the world.

5: The First Battle That I Nearly Survived

Throughout the duration of the cooking class, I would occasionally slip my hand in my skirt pocket and run my finger over the necklace feeling the jade on it. I badly wanted to take it out and hold it up to the light letting it gleam in the flourescent light.

As soon as cooking class was over I quickly packed up and dashed to study hall. I didn't have the desire to talk to anyone, I had to visit someone for some more answers. I slid open the door with a bang and breathed heavily from running so fast. Out of all the people to see, why did it have to be her?

She nodded at me then noticed my flushed expression, "You seem like you were in a hurry to tell someone something."

Damn! I hate her whole mind reading thing. But I cleared my throat and went along with it anyway, "I need to ask you something and if you say no I will find a way to find out."

Sakura nodded, "My address is actually not far away from your house."

Again with the mind reading! I hope this doesn't become a habit...

"Sometimes I think it's more like a burden then a gift."

"Whatever," I said with a wave of my hand, "I'll walk home with you and then you have to answer my questions. I'm still not sure what to expect of my so called "powers over fire."

Sakura turned away from me then looked down at her desk, "Trust me. You'll find out soon. But I don't think you're going to like it."

The warning bell rang and kids started to pour into the study hall. Yuko came in and spotted me before I had time to get to my desk and walked over, "Yukari-chan where were you? I couldn't find you in the cooking class after it let out and I got worried. You weren't in the hall either...but whatever. I was hoping that after school-"

"I won't be going home with you," I said bluntly cutting her off, "I need to find out about my powers and I'll be going home with Sakura...no hard feelings?"

Yuko blinked at me then grinned, "Well as long as you two are getting along then it's fine with me. I'll call you later then?"

"Sure."

Yuko gave us one last grin before skipping to her desk. What excited Yuko more than snacks was seeing her friends get along, typical Yuko behavior.

The bell rang a final time for everyone to get to class. Sensei walked in and everyone automatically went to their seats and quietly worked on homework. My mind for some reason kept wondering from my english and thinking what Sakura meant by "you'll find out soon." I was also wondering what I "wasn't going to like." So far those things were homework and my brother with my brother being at the top of the list. Whatever it was, it was making me nervous...and I didn't like it.

 

Once study hall let out I quickly packed and strode over to Sakura's desk. Whatever it was that I wasn't going to like, I didn't care. I was more concerned with the questions starting with "Why is Sensei Tsuyori helping me?"

Sakura packed her bag, but took longer making me impatient. She had warned not to talk about it anywhere unless we were alone and could discuss it among ourselves. I surely wasn't taking any chances with all these people here.

"Ok. I can't tell you about your powers, you'll have to find out on your own. However, you can train them and one way of doing that is by fighting."

"Fighting what?" I asked.

Sakura looked around frantically. Apparently no one heard my outburst. She frowned and put a finger on her lips.

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, sorry." I said sarcastically, then lowered my voice, "Fighting what?"

"Like I said, you'll find out but won't like it."

I sighed in defeat, "You know I hate when you talk circles around me. It's confusing and making me more nervous."

"Sorry, but I'm not allowed to give you too much information."

Was it so hard to get a straight answer from her? The answer: extremely hard. Oh the irony.

We walked downstairs and out the doors of the school. My head was still swimming with questions and I wanted to ask them, but I was scared she'd give the same 'sorry I can't help you there' expression and move on. I dared myself to ask them anyway, "How do I activate my powers?"

"I can't give you that."

"How do I use my powers?"

"I can't give you that."

"So what can you give me? Seriously! I don't have a lot of help here!"

Sakura gave me a sympathetic smile, "You figure that out on your own. I can, however, tell you that your powers were supposed to be told to you by your mother. However, we didn't expect that she would die so soon before you became 16. You would've handled it better if your own mother told you instead of a guardian angel you barely even know."

I hated to admit it, but she was spot on. I didn't trust her and if I was told by my mother about my powers, it would be easier to take.

As we neared my street Sakura stopped unexpectedly. Her face had gone pale and her eyes went wide. I shrugged and moved on, but she grabbed me by the arm and pulled me close, "Don't. You. Dare. Move." she hissed in my ear. The shock was of her menacing voice was enough to make me stay put.

I started to shake a bit. There was obviously nothing there, but Sakura was gripping my arm so tightly her nails were digging into my flesh. I winced and she loosened her grip. She cast a menacing stare to the nothingness in front of us then whispered in my ear, "The necklace. Hold it up in front of you."

I didn't dare disobey and I quickly fished the necklace from my pocket and held it up in front of me. unbelievably, an object appeared before me. It had a grotesque look with wrinkly green skin and a hunched back. One of its eyes gleamed gold while the other one was red. The look was enough to want to make me run, but somehow, I stayed rooted on my spot and tried to hide behind Sakura. She was the only one who could see it when it was invisible, so she had the power to get rid of it.

"The power. I sense it. In you little girl." the monster sneered pointing a chubby horribly chipped long nail in my direction, "Now I kill you!"

The monster lunged at me but Sakura stretched out her hand and put a shield around us. The monster tried to claw its way in, but as gross as it was stupid, it failed to break the shield.

I thought we were completely safe, but I looked at Sakura and to my horror saw that with every blow the monster inflicted on the shield, Sakura seemed to be getting weaker.

She turned to me slowly with a pained expression on her face, "Your powers. Use them before my shield is gone."

I was stricken with fear, "B-but, you never told me how to! You never demonstrated! How am I supposed to know?!"

Sakura winced, "The fire in your heart fuels your temper. Try to go from there..."

The monster screeched as the claws dug right through the shield and was just inches from Sakura's face. Finally the monster dug its other claws on the other hand in the shield and tore it apart. I screamed as the shield blew sending Sakura flying toward me.

We hit a tree and I bumped my head into the back of the tree. I winced as I rubbed my sore spot, then looked at Sakura. To my shock, she used her wings to wrap around me and keep me from getting further damage, but she was completely unconscious. Now I was alone with no clue how to defend myself.

The monster gave a screechingly loud laugh, "You poor thing. It looks like your guardian angel took my powerful monster blow and she can't help you now. All the better to kill you now!"

The monster started to run toward me with suprising speed. I felt like at any moment I was going to die. I quickly glanced at Sakura, then back at the monster getting closer, and felt the rage she was talking about. I clenched my fist, my eyes flashing with anger, "You hurt my friend, and you'll pay with your life!"

I closed my eyes just as the monster got close. I thought I felt a breeze, as if the monster had nearly missed me. I opened my eyes slowly, praying gratefully that I was still alive, then looked at the sight. My fire, appearing before my very eyes created a shield that burned the monster. It drew back quickly then lunged toward me again. This time I put my arms up in an X symbol and concentrated. The fire appeared from both the fingertips of my hands and formed the X symbol as it speeded toward the monster knocking it down.

It quickly regained its composure then speed. I tried another move but tried too late. The monster grabbed my arm, its claws digging hard into my flesh and leaving marks that started to bleed. I winced from the pain, "M-my arm..." The monster laughed and took its other clawed hand, "It looks like you have fire. A fierce element. It's good that I'm killing you now, otherwise you'll cause problems for me later when I find the other elements."

It lifted its clawed hand and was about to lunge for my heart. But I was fueled with rage again and could feel my body heat up hotter than it usually did when I was sick. The monster screeched in searing pain and I took the opportunity to release myself from its grip. My goal was to grab Sakura and flee before he gets the chance.

The monster recovered and its eyes glared at me with fierce determination, "Why you little bit-" The monster was cut off by a sudden kick from Sakura who had apparently recovered and used her high kick to send him flying into the air. It landed even faster bruised up and in pitiful condition. Sakura turned to me, "Finish him."

I concentrated one last time and could feel the now familiar fiery sensation as fire shot from my fingertips and raced toward the monster sending it in flames. It gave a terrible hiss then a screech that would've made dolphins and bats jealous. Then it finally was nothing but ash.

Sakura nodded and turned to me, "Any questions now?"

My eyes went wide at the deed that I had done. Then I slowly shook my head.

"Good. You now know how to channel your powers. Now your goal is to find the other girls with the other elements. You might feel tired because you channeled some of your energy into every fiery blow you issued. But once you start training, it'll wear off and you can use less energy."

"Wait a second! How did you know I was channeling energy into every blow?"

Sakura smirked, "That monster was so below me. I could've taken it down with my eyes closed. But it was your one chance to try out your powers. Did you really think that a pitiful blow like that could kill me?"

She strode past me toward her own home. I stared at her open-mouthed as her pink hair swished with every step. Apparently, I did, I just wouldn't admit that to her.

=================================================

Translator Notes:

 

There is none!  This story is pretty straightforward and easy to understand.

6: Finding the Girl Who Was 'Gone With the Wind'

I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. It was amazing that Sakura could have seen that monster, yet survive the devastating blow the monster inflicted on her. Any normal person would have had a serious head trauma. Then again, Sakura was an angel and not a normal human being.

I sat up in bed, concentrated my powers, and a flicker of fire appeared at the end of my index finger. I stared at the orange flame as it danced in front of me. After that battle, I was seriously starting to believe that my powers were no joke, they were real life.

A knock at the door startled me and brought me back to earth.

"Yukari? Are you ok?" said my dad coming into my room, "As soon as you got home you rushed upstairs and you weren't hungry, not the type of behavior I've seen in you. What's gotten into you lately?"

I sighed. Maybe I should tell my dad about this. After all, he must know the secret of mom if he married her. Forget the warning, I needed to be the only person - aside from Yuko who would believe anything - that knew about this secret.

"Dad? Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," he nodded.

"When you married mom, did you know any secrets about her?"

"Hmmm..." my dad scratched the back of his hair, "Well, not a lot actually. Is there some sort of point that you're trying to get across?"

"Yes. Like a secret. Something like...did she believe in magic?"

"Oh magic," my dad sighed and got a far away look in his eye, "She loved magic since she was a little girl. She always loved illusions and different tricks."

"No! Not that kind of magic! I'm talking about the magic powers you see in fairytales and fantasy anime! That kind of magic not magical illusions!"

"Powers? What powers? Your mom...wait...did you think that she was some magical being? Did you think she had powers?"

"Well, did she tell you that she had powers?"

My dad frowned, "No one has magical powers Yukari. That's something you'll only see in fairytales. Why'd you ask?"

I bit my lip and flopped back on my bed, "Never mind, dad. Thanks anyway."

He shrugged. Then he kissed the top of my head, "Good night Yukari. I love you"

"Love you too, dad. Good night."

I rolled over on my pillow. I wasn't tired. I was too shaken up. I tossed and turned trying to find sleep, but I guess the sandman was busy. I eventually fell into a restless sleep.

 

When I woke up, not only was I uneasy, I was exhausted. With not a lot of sleep and a whole quest placed into my hands, I got up to brush my hair and get dressed. Then I walked slowly down the stairs, very unlike me.

Once I sat in my chair I rested my head on the table. Unfortunately, Takashi was there and judging by the smirk expression on his face, he was about to lock, load, and fire another snazzy remark.

"Woah. You look like the bride of Frankenstein. All you need is frizzier hair and two bolts poking out your neck. For all I know you could be my sister robot."

I looked up from my forehead on the table at Takashi and gave him my killer glare, "Not in the mood, nii-san."

The glare was strangely strong enough to shut him up. Dad gave us our breakfast then sat down with his cup of coffee, "Well it's quite quiet at the breakfast table this morning. Are you two making a truce? Which one is holding up the white flag?"

"Ha ha, dad. If we did, though, it would be Yukari," said Takashi buttering a piece of toast.

"No it would be you airhead," I shot back.

My dad sighed, "Oh well. The moment of peace lasted only 1 minute."

"New record," I muttered under my breath.

 

The walk to school seemed to be agonizingly long. Yuko could definetly sense my uneasiness and decided to not talk about the latest news. Instead, I told her all about the battle the previous day in excruciating detail. Once I finished she gave a high whistle, "Wow Yukari-chan. That's some toughness you got there. But I didn't know you actually had powers over fire. Now I have a story to tell you."

She took a deep breath then released the story all in a rush, "Last night I was studying in my room when the wind blew my window open and it was strong too but I pushed as hard as I could and my window seemed to close like normal without so much strength going into closing it..." she took a deep breath then looked at me, "It was strange since I've never been able to do that."

I shook my head, "A lot of people have enough strength to do that. I don't think its a coincidence."

Yuko nodded in agreement, "Maybe you're right...but it was still strange. Was it windy at your place?"

I frowned, "Actually, the wind wasn't that strong to the point where it blew my window wide open."

"Huh, intresting," said Yuko staring at the blue sky.

 

Just like yesterday, I dashed up the stairs after a quick 'hi' to dad followed with an 'outta my way' to my brother.  I rushed to my room and picked up the book.  Sakura had told me to see it and judging by the tone in her voice, it seemed important. 

I closed the door behind me, flung my briefcase on my bed and took the book from my bookcase and flung it open.  Sure enough more words had magically appeared:

1.) The person holding wind is closer than you think

2.) The personality of wind is equivilent to the element

3.) Their powers are discovered not by observation but by believing

With the exception of the first 2 hints, the last one was a no brainer.  I knew a lot of people who still believed in magic.  But the first hint, a lot like my brother.  He was closer to me than I thought.  Personality, airhead, perfect.  Last hint, he still believed.  Why out of all the people did it have to be him??  How was he going to help in the battle against evil? 

I closed the book and put it on the shelf, then opened the door and knocked on my brother's door across from mine.  Rock music was blasting from his speakers, which surprised me since he wasn't all that into rock and I hadn't heard it from my room.

After knocking 3 times I kicked his door and yelled, "Takashi!!  Turn that music down you're disturbing the neighbors and more importantly me you oaf!!!"

He turned the music down and opened his door glaring down at me, "I'm not disturbing the neighbors.  They haven't filed a complaint at our doorstep yet."

"How would you know?  The music is so loud that you probably couldn't even hear the doorbell downstairs.  And since when were you into rock music."

Takashi rolled his eyes, "Rock is the latest fad nowadays.  Get with it old woman."

I clenched my fist and glared at him.

"Anyway, what do you want squirt?"

"Don't call me that!  I'd rather be called chibi than squirt!"

"Are you giving me permission to call you chibi?"

I threw up my hands in defeat, "I give in!  It's so hard to ask a normal question and carry on a normal conversation with you!  It's definetly not you!"

"What's not me?"

"Nevermind," I said turning around and walking into my own room slamming the door.  I stood against the door then slowly slid down it.  The search for the person with wind was so hard.  How was I going to do this?  I stood up and walked to my bookcase pulling out the book and reading the hints again.  If it wasn't Takashi, then who had the wind element? 

 

I walked to school alone this time.  I needed time and space to think without a distraction.  Why out of all the people in the world was I burdened with this agonizing task?  As I pondered this, Sakura ran up to me scaring the living daylight's out of me.  I jumped in surprise and she laughed, "Hey there!  You're stuck aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" I asked shooting her a glare.  How is it that she was so carefree when two days ago she was telling me I had the powers over fire and she was truly my guardian angel.

"Yeah.  Not just your eyes, but your hair looks a bit out of porportion too," she said giving a quick glance at my hair, "Do you now require the help of the angel who knows more than the book?"

"Yeah.  The book gave me three hints, not very helpful."

Sakura winked, "Those hints were only part of the equation, the other part is my hints."

"Oh, lovely."

She held up a finger, "Hint one: it's not your brother."

"That would've been useful yesterday while I was making a fool of myself in front of him.'

"Sorry, I don't have your phone number yet.  Okay, Hint two: the wind element is in a girl."

"That doesn't help.  There's a lot of girls at Suroyu High."

"I know.  Hint three: she's in the same grade as you."

I glared at her, "aside from hint two, those were useless!"

She laughed, "Sorry, but I can't give you any more hints.  This is all I got."

"And why does this have to be a puzzle anyway?  Why can't you bring the girl and tell her yourself?"

"That goes against the rules.  I'm supposed to let the person figure it out.  However, the rules don't prohibit you from telling the person."

"So why not tell me the person and let me tell that person that she has powers over wind?"

"Because the rules-"

"Yeah yeah, prohibit you from telling me.  I get it, i get it."

Sakura nodded, "Trust me, Yukari, she is indeed closer than you think.  Think long and hard."

With that she skipped ahead of me.  Okay, she was definetly not normal.  No person would be that excited to go to school.  But I took her advice and thought long and hard.  Using the hints given to me, I tried piecing the puzzle together.  Then the answer hit me like a ton of bricks were dropped on my head: Yuko!  She was a girl, in my homeroom, closer than I thought, and an airhead!  Well, with no offense to her, she was kind of an airhead.

I dashed ahead and caught up to Sakura.  Breathless I told her the answer and she smiled.  I instantly knew from that smile that I was right.  Boy, did I have news for her!

 

"So wait a minute... you're telling me I have powers over wind?  That would explain the wind.  That's been happening for the past week now!"

I nodded.  As soon as we got to school I breathlessly told her the hints from Sakura and in the book and how they all related to her.  She was happy but scared, so was I when I first was told that I had powers over fire.

"So...how do I use wind?"

"Well...I don't actually know," I said for once stuck on that question.

"I can be of help there," said Sakura coming over to us, "You have the power to control the winds such as tornadoes and hurricanes.  You can control the amount of wind and change wind direction.  You also can fly on gusts of wind."

Yuko's jaw dropped, "That...is...AWESOME!  I've always wanted to fly!  It's not the same as having wings, but it's close enough!"

Yuko pumped her fist in the air and I rolled my eyes, she was easily impressed. 

"To train is the same as Yukari's power over fire.  Focus, concentrate, and use the energy flowing through your body.  When done successfully, you have begun your training.  Give it a try sometime."

I looked out the window, "How about soon since P.E. is coming up?"

Yuko laughed, "A breeze will do some good.  It's still so hot outside."

The girl holding the wind element was found, and she happened to be my friend/cousin.  I wonder if it will be just as hard finding water and earth.  What would happen when we started training altogether?  When will this battle between heaven and hell occur?  Will there be any more monsters?  I shivered at the last battle with that monster.  One thing's for sure: God knows, and I'm not going to like it.

7: Those Who Train the Hardest, Fight the Hardest

"Again!" barked Sakura. 

Yuko and I concentrated our powers then out of our fingertips shot out a fury of wind and flames.  They swirled in the air close to each other.  We tried our hardest to control the wind and fire so that they hit the practice dummy with the same force.  Yuko's - seeing as she was just a tiny bit of an airhead - wind missed, but mine hit the target.  Unfortunately, with not enough force to either knock down or destroy the dummy.

Sakura sighed and put a hand to her forehead, "Yuko!  You have to concentrate using the whole of your mind, not half!"  She then turned to me, "And you need to be more ferocious!  Fire is a ferocious element, your emotions need to reflect that!  Now do it again!"

Yuko plopped down on the grass, "All of a sudden, I'm having second thoughts about having powers.  I mean, I'm completely exhausted!"

I sat down next to her, "Yeah me too.  Give us a break Sakura.  We still have to have an educational life and a social life.  We can't train all the time."

Sakura nodded, "Yeah, alright.  I'll give you a 5 minute break.  But once its over I want you training harder ok?  We don't have a lot of time."

That seemed to be Sakura's catchphrase nowadays.  I personally wouldn't blame Yuko for being tired.  As soon as school let out Sakura had dragged us straight to an abandoned construction site with a few practice dummies in tow and barked orders to us.  We were seriously confused and kept messing up, making Sakura even more stressed.  Soon we got the hang of it, but apparently, it wasn't enough for Sakura's preferences. 

"If only we found the girl with water," I said to Yuko, "My mouth is so dry!  If Sakura had warned us I would've brought a water bottle or something."

"Yeah, I hear ya," panted Yuko, "I'm just so tired!  I'm starting to think that doing homework is better than this!  And that's not normal"

For Yuko, it wasn't.  So the fact that she compared training to doing her homework was definitely not normal.

Before I knew it Sakura was flailing her arms and yelling at us to hurry up and start practicing again.  Yuko and I got up reluctantly and started the training process again.  After that break, though, it seemed that Yuko was a bit more focused and I was more refreshed. 

I could tell that Sakura was pleased when she smiled after doing the 'wind and fire twist' technique perfectly and completely destroying the dummy.  She set up a few more and we destroyed those too.  As soon as we destroyed the 5th dummy she walked over to us clapping her hands and had a huge smile on her face, "Well done, well done!  I guess a break every once in a while is what you need."

Yuko gave a weak grin, "Yeah, yeah.  I'm glad I can control my powers now.  Can I go home now?"

Sakura nodded, "Be careful though.  Now since two elements have been discovered, the monsters from hell are not going to stop at anything to extinguish your powers, and possibly your existence."

I shivered, and not just from the breeze that Yuko was controlling to cool her down.  After that last monster, I was afraid of facing any more fearing that without Sakura and her shield, we could possibly be dead.

"By the way," said Yuko turning around to face Sakura, " You said I have powers to control wind direction, right?"

"Yeah, and?"

"Well, you never really taught me how to fly.  'Cuz I sure as heck don't feel like walking."

Sakura laughed, "That will be saved for next time.  For now, walking is your only option."

She gave us one last smile, then spread her wings and took off. 

"Man!  I hate walking!" groaned Yuko.

 I rolled my eyes, she was quite lazy too. 

 

It turned out that the abandoned construction site was miles away from our houses, so we pooled together as much money as we could to pay the train fares.  We didn't get home until 7 which by that time our parents were really worrying.  My dad gave me a long talk about about trust and how it could be broken blah blah blah.  I just hung my head and nodded when he asked me if I 'understood.'

When dinner was done I called Yuko who said her parents did the same thing but it wasn't a long talk seeing as Yuko had a terrible sense of direction and her family was well aware of that. 

"So...what do you want to do after school this weekend?" I said later on that evening to Yuko on the phone.

"Gee, I don't know.  I'm not sure if Sakura will drag us to the construction site for training or not."

"Yeah, that surprised me too, but..."

I looked up at my bedroom ceiling and sighed, "You know, all this stuff about the elements and the war and...stuff, well, it's starting to mess me up a bit."

"I know what you mean.  What happens when we start training more and more?  Our social life could get seriously mixed up!  It's not fair.  Out of all the people why us?"

"Doesn't that make us special?"

"I...guess so..."

"Hmmm...well, I'll see you tomorrow Yuko.  I'm tired and I have no idea what Sakura is planning for us tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya."

I clicked the End button and put the phone back in its cradle beside my bed, then I picked up the mysterious book and looked at the page.  So far, after finding Yuko with the power over wind, there wasn't any clues at all as to how to find the other two elements.  It was really starting to bother me, especially since I didn't know where the monsters could appear.  It would help if there was a map showing the locations of where the monsters generally pop up, but I guess they went so far as to not include that either.

I sighed and flopped back on my bed, my head landing on my pillow with a soft sound.  I was exhausted trying to think so much about solving the mysteries and training.  Not to mention my schoolwork and social life.  Trying to balance things out was so hard. 

 

My alarm went off the next morning with a screech.  I groaned and pounded on the snooze button, then rolled over snoring softly.  I heard heavy footsteps come up the stairs, then the bang as my door flung open.  Who else could it be then my annoying brother.

"Wake up chibi!  No matter how long you sleep you're not growing any more than you already are!"

I turned over and gave him a killer glare trying to melt him on the spot.  Unfortunately it failed and my brother didn't seemed to be dazed by it either.  I rolled over again trying to block out his annoying voice. 

He sighed, "I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice.  If you're not going to wake up..." he took a step closer toward me, "I'm gonna have to..."

I tried to roll out before he pounced on me, but he quickly caught me and held me up high.  Then he flung me over his shoulder dangling me upside-down.

"Put me down now!"

"Says who?  The Queen of England?"

"You're going to make me faint!"

He readjusted me on his shoulder, then went over to my closet taking my white blouse and blue skirt and laying them on my bed.  Then he took me to my bathroom before finally plopping me down firmly on the ground. 

"You know, I could've fainted.  Yet you didn't even care in the slightest."

"You're right, I don't.  But  I was given strict orders from the commander to wake you up."

I rolled my eyes then slammed my bathroom door in his face.

 

After breakfast, instead of Yuko and Miyoko coming to my house, I went to theirs.  Yuko opened the door as soon as I rang the doorbell once and slammed it before storming down her porch to the sidewalk. 

I wonder what that was all about.  She looks really mad.  I've never seen this before. 

Yuko stopped walking at their gate then turned to me with a scowl on her face, "Well?  Aren't you coming or what?"

"But...aren't we gonna wait for Miyoko?"

"Screw Miyoko," she said with a wave of her hand, "She can walk alone for all I care!  She's better off with the smart Kakari then she is with dummies like us!"

Ouch.  That was a two-in-one comeback. 

"Well if you're going to wait for her, be my guest.  But I surely am not!"

She started walking again, quicker this time.  I looked back at the door, then at Yuko before finally running after her.  Once I caught up to her, breathless, I struggled to say, "What was that all about."

Yuko crossed her arms and hunched her shoulders in a shrug. 

"What did Miyoko do to upset you so much?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

I didn't dare ask anymore questions about it.  So we walked in an uncomfortable silence, the only sound of our feet pounding on the gravel with every step.  After a while I could hear a third pair of feet pounding on the gravel as well.  I turned around in time to spot Sakura.  When Yuko spotted her too her face immediately lit up, "Well hey there Saku-"

She caught up to us and clenched our arms tightly pulling us back behind her.  Then she held up her hands and a shield formed right after a blast of fire was flung.  Sakura turned to me, her face already showing signs of weakness from the blast, and said, "The necklace...wear it....and never take it off ever!" 

I didn't hesitate to pull it out of my skirt pocket and put it on.  Immediately, the necklace and my powers combined and it showed the monster in front of me.  Not really a monster, but a succubus.  She frowned once she realized her 'element of surprise' was gone.  Yuko gasped, "Oh...my...gosh...that is a really cute necklace!" she said coming up to me to examine the necklace, "I especially love the gem inside and the swirly pattern around the cross.  It looks fancy!"

Sakura rolled her eyes and I shook my head. 

The succubus gritted her teeth and charged her fire, then flung it at the shield.  Sakura dissolved the shield and I ran toward the speeding fireball and used my own to break it apart.  The succubus smirked, "Ah.  So my monster brother was right.  You play with fire you fight with fire." 

My eyes got big and I pointed a finger toward her, "That grotesque looking monster I killed the other day was your brother?  If that's your brother I'm afraid to see what your mother looks like."

The succubus gritted her teeth again and charged fire.  I fought back with every ounce of my energy, but not only was she fast and cunning, she was seductive too.  Every chance she got she tried to hypnotize Yuko into fighting against me, which after you do it for a while, could be pretty easy.  Everytime she tried, I cut her off and Yuko would blast her down with wind.

Little by little, our efforts and hard training paid off and we knocked her down one last time before Sakura came fast toward the succubus with a swift kick.  Up in the air she went, down she came breaking the hard gravel upon impact.  She winced in pain and tears streamed down her face.

"Forgive me mother.  I have yet to conquer these wretched brats.  Until then, bring me back to the underworld!"

In a flash she disappeared leaving the only trace of the gravel breaking when she landed.  Yuko whistled, "That's some kick Sakura.  You're quite powerful."

"Thanks," she said flashing her a perfect pearly white smile, "I try my best after all."

I rolled my eyes and moved on toward school leaving Sakura with her glory and Yuko with her amazement.

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Translator Notes:

School on Weekend - it used to be that school was seven days a week, but nowadays, more schools are following the format of having the weekend off, or having one day of the weekend off.

Succubus - a seductive demonic woman who lures men to their death after having sex with them. Kinda explains a lot, considering Kurumu from Rosario + Vampire is constantly pining after Tsukune.

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I am so sorry that this chapter took so long to come out!! *bangs head on table in shame*

Things were hectic during school, so I didn't get much of a chance to write >.<

But fortunately, school is about to end, so I promise the next chapters won't take so long to come out!

To make up for it, I'm doing double updates. Enjoy!

8: Finding the Girl Who 'Goes With the Flow'

School seemed to take an agonizingly long time.  I watched the clock as the hands turned as slow as a turtle.  I kept watch on the clock until the big hand turned to 20.  It was officially 11:20.  My stomach grumbled loudly and I quickly covered it in hopes that it would quiet.  Even my stomach knew what time it was and was just as impatient as me.  I sighed and drummed my fingers on my desk.  I didn't know how loudly I was doing it until Sensei stopped monologuing and everyone was staring at me.

I looked around the room and gave everyone a puzzled look.  Sensei Tsuyori peered at me from behind her reading glasses, "Ms. Suminoe, I trust that you are doing that out of a nervous disorder.  Otherwise, please stop disturbing the others."

I smiled sheepishly and quickly drew back my hand from my desk resting it in my lap, "Sorry."

Sensei nodded and continued the lesson.  I put my head on my desk and breathed slowly through my nose and out my mouth.  I lifted my head just long enough for a small piece of paper to land on my desk.  I quickly looked around the room to see who threw it, but no one would catch my eye.  Then i carefully picked up the note as if it was a bomb waiting to go off and slowly opened it.  It read:

1.)  She goes with the flow and isn't uptight

2.)  Her personality is refreshing

3.)  Thinks before she acts

The note, I had come to know, was from Sakura.  Who else would give me hints about what to do next?  That's right.  No one but Sakura and possibly Sensei Tsuyori.  Lately, though, she was a lot more strict with me and seemed to call attention to me all the time.  I used to love going to her class, now I dreaded it. 

Once class let out I bolted out the door before Sensei could call attention to me and got my lunch.  Yuko was miraculously waiting for me, which was extremely rare indeed.  I had a feeling why she was acting so weird was the fight she must've had with Miyoko, it always left both of them in an uptight mood. 

She nodded, "Ready to go?"

"Um, sure.  Hey Yuko, are you ok?"

"Sure...never better."

I pondered her answer for a second then replied, "Is it that you feel the burden of being an 'element girl?'"

Yuko raised her eyebrows at me, a look of amusement in her face, "'Element girls?'  What kind of name is that?"

I shrugged, "I dunno.  I came up with it on the spot.  It sounded so much better in my head than out loud."

Yuko laughed and I smiled.  When Yuko laughed, it felt as if things were during the good old times when we didn't have mysterious powers and fights with my brother were normal and we didn't have a third wheel (and by third wheel I mean you-know-who-with-the-long-pink-hair.)  Yuko wiped the tears from the sides of her eyes and leaned against the lockers, "Oh man Yu-chan.  You crack me up.  That was just hilarious."

I smiled, "Glad that my humor served a purpose.  Now let's go eat lunch.  I'm hungry!"

 

I stretched my legs as far as they could go and got up from my seat.  The last class of the day was always the worst.  Especially when you're just minutes away from freedom outside with the wind blowing in your hair but the teacher says 'Sit down!  I still have you for a few minutes and pay attention because it's important!'  Now since my freedom had come, I was ready to leave and probably hit the arcade or do something fun.  Being couped up in school took a toll on almost everyone, even the nerds.

With Yuko at my side we left with all the excited other people cramming through the door.  Once we got out we both took a fresh breath of air and let it all out.  I loosened my necktie as did Yuko and we both made a beeline toward the city and zeroed in on the nearest arcade.  A blast of cold air hit our faces as we entered and we immediately went our seperate ways in search of our favorite games. 

Taking the money out of our bags we were like little kids with our faces lit up like New Year's fireworks.  We played as long as we still had money in our pockets determined to beat the games we were currently playing. 

After about a half hour I pulled out my hot pink wallet and peered inside.  I had about 400 yen left.  I folded it up and put it in my skirt pocket, finished the game I was still playing, then went to fetch Yuko.  She was playing a fighting game with another person - a middle-aged man by the looks of it - on the other side.  Of course, after years and years of escaping to the arcade after school, she was really giving it to him.  I watched as she expertly moved the controls and barely got hit by the other person.  Soon the battle was over and K.O. in huge red letters appeared.  Yuko had won, and by the expression on the man, he was quite pissed.

I nudged Yuko, "Hey.  I'm almost out of money and we need to go home soon.  So let's go."

Yuko sighed, "Oh come on Yu-chan!  Just one more game!  I promise to make it quick."

I pondered this for a while.  With Yuko's experience, she could literally K.O. her opponent in 1 minute.  It was an impressive record, I must say, but I didn't want to risk it.  So after lots of persuasion she reluctantly went with me.  Much to the relief of the middle-aged man who wanted to go another round and actually try to beat her.

We walked home and talked animatedly between us relaying and replaying the games we played and who we beat.

"So how much money do you have?" I asked her as we rounded the corner and walked down our street.

"About...um...100 yen."

I stopped and turned to stare at her.  She furrowed her brow, "Y'know, those games aren't cheap."

"Yeah, but you could've stopped when you had less than 500!'

"I know I know.  But...I couldn't help it!  I was beating people left and right and that other guy was really trying to beat me and I thought it was amusing. So...yeah..."

I rolled my eyes.  It was typical of Yuko to play until she was broke.  We turned onto her walkway and opened the door. 

"Hey everyone!!!  I'm home!!!"

"Welcome home Yuko!"

Yuko's mom, Kyoko Kirojima, came from the kitchen, "I'm guessing you and Yukari-chan went to the arcade.  I hope you didn't spend too much money."

Yuko smiled at her mom, "Why do you doubt me so dear mother?"

Kyoko raised an eyebrow, "You spent all your money didn't you?"

"Yeah..." said Yuko defeated.

She sighed and slowly went up the stairs with me behind her.  "Wait!" Kyoko called after me, "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Well...um..."  My stomach growled.  I hadn't had dinner yet or even a snack, the offer was tempting, but it was a Friday and I was sure my dad wanted me to be the test subject of Takashi's cooking along with him.  Every Friday, Takashi insisted on giving dad a break from dinner duty and cooking (at the least, he was trying) one of the meals he learned in cooking class.  The rating was either great, good, decent, bad, or just plain terrible.  The terrible ones are the ones that include basically an oven, which he burns the food and we're forced to choke down the charcoal-rich food.  Dad usually has the wireless phone next to him in case it's one of Takashi's charcoal foods to order take-out.

"W-what are you having?"

"Pasta with meat sauce.  I didn't have time to make a better dish."

Kyoko's meat sauce was very good.  One bite and you feel like jumping up and down and running across the neighborhood until you fall down from exhaustion.  It was just that good.  Yuko, who faired better in cooking than Miyoko, made the pasta.  The Kirojima's were more westernized and frequently ate western food. 

"Well, can I use your phone?"

 

"Hey dad?  Is it alright if I ate at the Kirojima's tonight?"

"Actually, that's not a bad idea.  Takashi was trying to make steak and fried rice but burned both.  Dinner at Kyoko's house it is!"

I clicked the End button and handed the phone back to Kyoko, "You might want to double that meat sauce and pasta.  My family's coming over, if that's ok?"

"Sure.  It is Friday though isn't it?" 

"Yeah."

She nodded her head knowingly.  The Kirojima's also knew about the dishes Takashi attempted to make. 

I took the stairs two at a time and burst into Yuko's room then quickly shut the door.  I slowly slid down the door, a hand over my mouth giggling hard. 

"Yu-chan!  Yu-chan what's wrong?"

I couldn't take it anymore.  I burst out laughing, rolling on the floor, and holding my sides.

Yuko laughed nervously and eyed me suspiciously, "Yukari-chan?  Are you ok?"

I finally stopped laughing and told her how Takashi burned steak and fried rice.  Yuko was in stitches by the time I finished and we were both laughing on the floor.  Miyoko, probably hearing how loud we were, opened Yuko's door and saw us.  With one look to make sure we weren't dying, she rolled her eyes and shut the door muttering that she was going to take a long bath. 

Once we finished I told Yuko about the hints Sakura gave me.  Even though I didn't want to talk about it, if it slipped my mind for one second, we would probably get attacked again.  I couldn't risk it, and I had no idea if Sakura would show up again.  The last two times was just sheer luck. 

Just then we heard a scream from the bathroom.  Yuko and I sprung up and raced to the bathroom to find lots of bubbles, floating around the bathroom, made of water.  We stared in disbelief, then looked to Miyoko for an explanation.

"I-I-I don't know!  I was just soaking in the bath enjoying it for the moment when all of a sudden the water got lower even thought the drain wasn't unplugged.  I looked and saw that they were floating up in bubbles and...I...I just screamed...what's going on?"

Suddenly it clicked in my head.  It made perfect sense.  Thinks before she acts, her personality was strange yet refreshing, and she went with the flow.  Not like some sort of hippie who let everything go, but she wasn't so uptight.  She was...coolheaded.

I smiled big, "You're an..." I turned to Yuko, "Laugh and I will slap you..." then I turned back to Miyoko, "Element girl." 

I could tell that both of them were trying their hardest not to laugh.  Their faces were turning red and they were snickering.  I sighed and waved a hand at them, the signal to let it all out.  They burst out laughing and continued this for what seemed like forever.  After a minute, their laughter died down and they wiped the corners of their eyes.

"Wow.  I haven't laughed this hard in years!" said Miyoko.

"It's even better the second time!" chimed in Yuko.

I rolled my eyes.  Then Miyoko's face returned to normal and she stared at me carefully, "So what you're saying is that I have powers over water?"

"Mhm."

"Woah.  That's freaky cool.  When Yuko told me this morning that she had powers over wind, I thought she was plain crazy at first.  I started teasing her about her overactive imagination."

I opened my mouth in shock, "Yuko was mad at you for that?"

"Yeah."  She turned to Yuko, "You overact way too much sometimes."

She pointed a finger at Miyoko, "But then you accused me of smoking something that was making me crazy and giving me hallucinations!  That's why I was mad at you.  You made it sound like I was some dummy."

Miyoko shrugged and Yuko shook her head in disbelief. 

"Yo pinheads!!  Come and get some grub!"

Guess who.

I clenched my fist and shouted back, "First off, you're the pinhead!  Second off, no one says 'grub' anymore.  Get with the 21st century grandpa!"

"Just come and get it Tweedledumb!!" he shouted back.

"Grrrrr....."

Yuko and Miyoko exchanged looks behind my back and giggled.  They thought my brother and I were like a comedy duo. 

"So...are you guys gonna fight like this during dinner?" asked Miyoko.

I scrunched up my face, "Oh believe me!  You're about to witness a dinner and a show."

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Translator Notes:

Yen - everyone should know this one.  It's the currency used in Japan.  I'm not exactly sure how to calculate different numbers from yen into dollars.  But the tip is that if there's a number with mostly zero's after it, take off two zero's and that's how much its worth in dollars.  When Yukari said she had 400 yen left, she had 4 dollars left.  When Yuko said she had 100 yen left, she had 1 dollar left.

Cooking class - I'm not sure I explained this in chapters 4-5, but in all Japanese schools, it is required to take a cooking class.  People who are not so great at cooking, like Takashi, will find this class tedious.

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And here's the second part of this double update! Enjoy and see you in the next chapter!

9: Finding the Girl Who Is 'Down to Earth'

Dinner and a show it was.  The insults and the retorts flew back and forth over the table and soon we had everyone in stitches.  I knew that Takashi was doing this with me to have the spotlight for once, he was just like that.  Then again, aren't all boys? 

"I remember when-"

"You promised you wouldn't talk about that!"

"Then she did-"

"But then you did-"

"It was hilarious!"

"Like you should-"

"Well you're a bigger one!"

And on and on and on.  I could tell by the amusement on our parents faces that they thought it was just as funny as the rest of us did.  After dinner was over, Kyoko stood up, "Well, I have some delicious desserts lined up."  She winked at me and Takashi, "If you're up for it."

Takashi patted his stomach, "I always have room Kyoko."

"That's because you're stomach is a bottomless pit.  You inhale everything!"

Takashi glared at me and was about to fire another retort when Kyoko jumped in, "For dessert!  We have strawberry, chocolate, and mango mochi!  Who wants some?"

All hands went up.

 

"Thank you very much for the dinner Kyoko."

"You're so very welcome," she replied with a kind smile.

Takashi, dad and I bowed to her and started down the steps and toward our house.  After dessert, I went up with Miyoko and Yuko to think of the next place to practice our newfound powers since a construction site wouldn't be good enough.  "We have to connect with our powers with a natural environment, not a techno one," said Miyoko.  After much convincing and arguing, we agreed and called Sakura who agreed with our decision.

I climbed the steps to my room and tossed my bag in a nearby chair before flopping onto my bed.  I didn't feel like doing homework.  Then again, that was pretty much everyday.  I turned to face my bag.  The math book poking out seemed to taunt me.  I groaned and rolled the other way seeing nothing but a lavender colored wall. 

Maybe I'll just...  I yawned.  Rest my eyes for a while...before doing my homework.  I didn't hesitate to close my eyes as sweet, delicious sleep fell upon me.

 

The next morning I could hear my annoying alarm clock screeching at me to wake up.  I yawned and brought down my fist on the Off button.  I was dead tired, and I didn't like it.  Never before have I had a bad feeling about going to school.  Something...really bad is going to happen...soon.  Then I remembered the conversation last night with Miyoko, Yuko, and Sakura and remembered the book.  The book, of course!

I tossed back the covers and jumped out of bed, racing to my bookcase for the mysterious book.  Hmm...mysterious didn't seem like a good name for a book that I now knew what it did.  Instruction book seemed more appropriate.  Yeah, that's better.

I took the instruction book from my shelf and flipped to the next page where there were more instructions for finding the wind girl.  Found her, what's next?  I looked at the instructions for the water girl.  Same old same old.  I flipped that page and landed on the next page that told the hints for the next girl:

1.) She's down to earth.  The polar opposite of Wind.

2.) She's extremely talented.

3.) Understanding

I didn't need to figure this one out.  If I was fire, Yuko is wind, and Miyoko is water.  Then there's no doubt that Kakari is earth.  No need to get hints from Sakura then.  However, I might've reached a problem.  Yes, it was true that Kakari was the polar opposite of Yuko (good grades, not messy, attentive...), and was talented (art, cooking, guitar), but because she was so smart, she was put in special classes for the students who were advanced.  We had no classes together and the only time I saw her was at lunch and after school.  Heck I didn't even see her during passing period!  This was a serious problem. 

I sighed and closed the book, putting it back on the shelf.  There had to be something I could do.  I paced my room trying to figure out how to tell her the news when my alarm clock rang a second time.  It was the backup alarm in case I was too tired to get up the first time.  There was only a 5 minute gap.  Looking around my room, I grabbed the nearest thing I could find (my throw pillow) and tossed it at the alarm to shut it up (thank you throw pillow). 

I quickly got dressed, freshened up, then ran downstairs while trying to stuff papers in my bag.  Takashi, with his usual bed head since he didn't bother to comb it until the last minute, was at the table sipping orange juice.  Dad at the table for once as well stirring his coffee and reading the morning news.  I stopped and nodded to both of them, "Morning dad and annoying older brother."

"Good morning Yukari."  Dad.

"Morning my younger sister with issues involving height."

Well, it's better than him calling me chibi-suke.  I rolled my eyes anyway and bolted out the door before dad could ask if I wanted breakfast.

 

Homeroom.  The chaos was more chaotic than normal.  I sat down at my desk and tried to finish the homework before first period.  I forgot to get up earlier to do it, and the noise wasn't helping either.  Yuko came down the aisle and sat down at the desk in front of me, swiveling her body to face me.  She glanced at the homework, then a smile slowly crept to her face, "Oh, Yukari!  You're starting to become like me!"

"One time Yuko.  Just this once.  That doesn't mean I'm becoming like you."

"Oh?" she said smirking.

I wrinkled my nose, "Trust me.  You're unique all on you're own.  Now if you don't mind, I'd like to finish this torture they call homework."

Yuko shrugged, "Whatever."  Then turned around, stood up, and walked back to her desk just as Sensei walked in.  Seeing the chaos she fixed us with a killer glare.  People shut up, sat down, and paid attention. 

"Good.  That's better.  Well now, there's not a lot going on schoolwise so..."  Sensei sat down and propped her feet on her desk, "Continue talking in low whispers.  Or do your homework.  Whatever."

I swear, about all the mouths dropped open and eyes bugged out of their heads.  Seeing Sensei like this was rare, so better to take advantage of it right?  People immediately went back to their shenanigans (at a lower decibel thank goodness) and I went back to my homework.

The bell rang for the end of homeroom.  Everyone filed out and Yuko followed them turning back to me for a second to salute me.  The only bad thing is that I had World History before Math and Yuko wasn't in those classes.  Miyoko, thankfully, was.  However, the assigned seating separated us leaving me to wallow in my boredom and fighting off the oncoming sleepiness I felt when at both classes.

I packed up my bag and before I walked out, Sensei called to me.  I turned around, "Yes Sensei?"

"C'mere a sec," she said motioning toward the front of her desk.

I followed to where she pointed.  Then she lowered her voice, "I hear from Sakura that you found all the other elements.  Congratulations."

How did Sakura hear that?  I better learn her sneaky tactics before she messes with my head.  And I thought the mind reading was bad.

I shrugged in response, "It was easy to figure out once I found the first two."

Sensei nodded, "But just because you found earth and completed the circle.  And just because you're starting to train altogether, don't think your adventure is over yet."

"What!?" 

"Shh!" said Sensei putting a finger to her lips, "Not so loud.  Didn't Sakura warn you?"

"Sorry.  What?"

"Not only do you have to train, but you can't think that through Sakura you can gain access to the heavens."

My eyes widened, "Heaven.  Did you say heaven"

She nodded, "The battle between heaven and hell.  The neutral territory of earth.  Sakura came down to warn that soon, hell will break loose on the earth.  No one will be safe.  Only you and your friends can save us.  Going to heaven to help fight the battle there is the only way to get rid of it once and for all."

I rubbed my temples.  The way she said it sounded cheesy.  Like, OMG!  If you don't save the world we're going to die!  Use your powers.  I get it.

"Ok, ok.  How exactly do we get to heaven anyway?"

Sensei opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a map of Japan.

"Using this map, you'll find the pieces to an amulet that when combined with your power, will take you there."

You can't be serious. 

I took a closer look at the map, "Uh, Sensei?  There's no indication of where the amulet is located."

Sensei gave me a sad look, "When you mother was the last person to hold all the elements together, then died, the amulet split along with all the elements.  Now, the pieces of the amulet are scattered across, thank goodness, only Japan.  Using your powers, since you're the leader, wave your hand over the map and it will reveal the locations.  Be warned, though, it will be a tough journey."

"Yeah, I get that."

"Also, the pieces of the amulet correspond to the elements you and your friends possess."

"Got it."

 

The bell rang again and students started to pour into the classroom. 

"Take your seats quickly everyone!" Then she turned to me, "Be careful."

I nodded, took the map, and ran out the classroom.

 

After a long, treacherous day of school, it was finally lunchtime...time to tell Kakari the secret.  As usual, Yuko forgot her lunch and with the last of her own money, and some borrowed money from Miyoko (along with a lecture on how to save), Yuko, Miyoko, and Kakari had grabbed our usual lunch table in the cafeteria and were digging into their lunches.  I took a deep breath, then walked up to the table.

"So, Kakari, I have to tell you something," I started as I sat down.

"Sure, what?" she replied her mouth full of food.

"Well, um, it's kinda hard to explain..."

Kakari laughed and wiped her mouth with a napkin, "So tell me!  I'm pretty smart, so maybe I'll help you figure it out, whatever it is."

Yuko and Miyoko exchanged glances.  They knew exactly what I was going to say.  Or, at the least, they had a feeling it had to do with our powers.

"Well...you..."

"Yeah?"

"You have powers over earth!  And Yuko has powers of air, Miyoko has powers of water, I have fire!  And, Sakura?  She's an angel sent to help us.  The heavens are in danger, hell will break loose on the earth!  And with your help, we can stop it!"

I didn't expect the whole truth to come out, I didn't practice it well enough in my head.  Yuko sighed and sank down in her chair.  Miyoko held her forehead in her hands.  Kakari stared at me like I was some sort of alien being.  Maybe I went overboard? 

Now I know Kakari is practical and doesn't believe in magic or fairies or anything like that.  She says that without scientific evidence, it doesn't exist.  I didn't know what to expect her expression would be like, but I was hoping it would be an understanding one...guess the book was wrong.

She stared at me for a long time.  Then, I slowly saw the change on her face from a shocked one to a happy one.

Then...she laughed.  And I never knew how much it could hurt.  Especially when it's the truth.

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Translator Notes:

Mochi - a light fluffy dough that is pounded, flavored and powdered.  Sometimes mochi has ice cream inside

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Been a while! I'm currently vacationing in Long Beach and after a long day at Knott's Berry Farm and the beach, I figured I would upload another chapter. I'm so sorry this took so long ><