Death and Reincarnation (Madison Shecker's Story) pt. 45

"...Well, now what are we supposed to do? With Cree now having a zampakutou, not to mention she's wearing a Squad T.P. uniform whenever she changes, Toshiro and I don't know what to do with her. Should we take her to the Soul Society? Or, should we keep her here, maybe train her on the weekends? God, I have no idea what to do, considering this has probably never happened before. Oh well, I guess I have no choice but to somehow talked Toshiro into letting her join us when we leave to go to the Soul Society. Well, that will be interesting, but there's still one thing that bothers me. If that Hollow really did follow Toshiro and I into this world from the Soul Society, who gave them the knowledge of how to open their own senkaimon?..."

December 16th, 2010
OUR WORLD
4:45 p.m.
Madison's Perspective
Toshiro and Madison stare at Cree as she falls to the ground, stunned by what just happened.
"C-CREE!" Madison yells, trying to get up, but cringing in the end.
Toshiro immediately appears by her side, catching her as she falls back to the dirt.
"Yattamori, be careful, you're still not completely healed!" Toshiro warns, holding her arm.
"Cree, she's out cold!" Madison snaps, trying to stand again, making better this time.
"Yattamori please-" Toshiro starts.
Suddenly, Madison flashsteps from Toshiro's grasp, taking him by surprise. She reappears by Cree's side, trying to turn her over without yelling in pain. As she finally gets Cree onto her knee, she smiles as she sees that Cree's just sleeping, perfectly fine.
Though, she's a far other story. Her rip is still cracked on the left side, two on the right, and she has a good idea that she probably has broken at least one of her major bones in her right leg.
Then, a soft yellow glow distracts her from the pain, causing her to look back down at Cree. Her eyes widen as she watches Cree's kimono beginning to fade from sight, returning to her original outfit. As it happens, the light seems to gain a life of it's own, surrounding her with a nostalgic yellow light.
"What the..." she starts, watching the light grow, then shrink.
Without reason, the light splits into different orbs and float for a second, before floating down to touch different areas of her body, then expanding over. Madison gasps as she finally realizes what they are.
"She can heal...?"
Within seconds, the pain in her chest begins to subside, the cracks in her ribs beginning to mend, along with the completely broken. Soon, after, her leg is back to normal, and even the scratches on her face have disappeared, the only thing left being the little gash on her fore arm, which is being attended to with great stediness.
After only what seems like seconds, Madison is fully healed, even her mild headache which she had tried to ignore. All of her stamina is back, and she quickly stands, holding Cree up by her arm.
"Yattamori!" Toshiro yells as he runs over to her side, surprised by the fact that she's able to even lift Cree a foot off the ground.
When she turns back towards him, his eyes widen in surprise, not expecting to see her in this great of shape.
"H-How did you heal so quickly?" Toshiro asks.
"I wasn't the one that healed myself." Madison answers, "She was the one."
His eyes widen even more.
"Cree healed you?!"
"Well, I think."
"What do you mean "you think"?"
"Well, I do believe she has the ability to heal, but I think that because I also have that ability, it was amplifed, making it stronger and quicker." she explains.
Toshiro thinks it over for a moment, before nodding.
"I guess that makes sense." Toshiro finally says.
Madison sighs and turns back towards the road.
"So what are we gonna do?" Madison asks.
"About getting home, or about her Soul Reaper abilities?" Toshiro asks.
"Both!" Madison snaps, "Toshiro, Cree has abilities like us, and she even has Time Psyhic abilities to top it off!"
"Well, it's not like we can take her to the Soul Society!"
Madison becomes quiet, worrying Toshiro.
"Yattamori, no, we can't-" Toshiro starts.
"Well why not! If she does have a zampakutou, then she must be able to travel back and fourth. Heck, I still don't know why you can besides that." Madison counters.
Toshiro sighs.
"Well, even if she could, how on Earth would we explain her to the Head Captain, no, the Soul Society itself?!" Toshiro asks.
Without warning, Madison begins laughing uncontrolably, confusing Toshiro completely.
"Why on Earth are you laughing?!" Toshiro asks, irritated.
Madison wipes her eyes with her free hand, finally able to breath slightly.
"Toshiro...are you serious?" Madison asks.
Toshiro raises an eyebrow.
"Huh? Yes, why?" he answers.
"W-Wow, you're an idiot." Madison says, still giggling.
"What?!"
"Toshiro, if they were able to accept me, a girl who had been pretty much dead for 14 years, into their Society, don't you think they would accept her?" Madison asks, silencing Toshiro.
He scratches his head, think over what Madison had just suggested, and it hits him.
She right, they had accepted her easily, so it wasn't an issue.
"Well?" Madison asks, grabbing Toshiro's attention.
He stares at her for a moment, then sighs.
"Fine."
Madison grins.
"Alright, now we only have one problem." Madison says.
Toshiro blinks in surprise.
"What?" he asks.
"What are we supposed to do with Cree until she wakes up?" she asks, pulling Cree closer by the arm.
He doesn't answer as his eyes widen, more confused then he was last time.
"Uh, I've got nothing." Toshiro answers.
Madison sighs.
"Great."
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Cree's Perspective
She blinks as light begins to enter eyes, brighter then usual. She scratches her head, not knowing what exactly has happened. Cree looks around as her eyes finally clear, noticing that the room around her is strange to her to say the least.
"Where the heck am I?" she asks herself.
The room looks like something out of a Asian movie, a crane picture in the corner of the room, and what she once thought to be a bed turns out just to be a mat on the floor. But, as she looks around, she finds that for some reason, the room seems off, more cartoon then anything. It's now that she looks down at herself.
For some reason, her hair is longer by a few inches, and she nows wears a white kimono looking outfit. And, around her neck, is a topaz gem in the shape of a triangle, hanging from what looks like a black hide chain. Slowly, she stands walking over to the door.
Suddenly, the door opens, causing her to gasp in surprise.
"Wow, wow, Cree, settle down!" Madison's familiar voice says as Cree falls to the ground.
Cree looks up to see Madison, but not Madison Madison, Yattamori Madison, staring down at her, Toshiro close behind her with a few people she's never seen before.
"Are you alright Cree?" Madison asks as she kneels beside her.
"W-Where am I? Why do you still look like that? When did you-?" Cree goes on.
"Wow, wow, Cree." Madison shushes her.
"Yattamori, is this the girl you told us about?" A girl, maybe a year older then them asks Madison, calling her by her other name.
"Yes. Momo, this is Cree. Cree, this is Momo, one of Toshiro's and mine childhood friends." Madison says as introduces the girl to her.
The girl smiles.
"Nice to meet you." Momo says.
"Captain, how are you going to explain her to the Head Captain?" another women asks, though probably more in her 20s.
"I'm just gonna tell it to him straight." Madison answers.
"So you're gonna tell him "Oh, I just happened to run into a Hollow in your world, and that my friend here somehow miraculously gained a zampakutou just in time to save the day, before falling to the ground unconscious. Oh, and to top it off, while she was unconscious, she healed me, meaning she also has time psychic abilities." the women says.
Madison doesn't answer for a moment.
"That is what you were going to tell him, isn't it?" the women asks.
"Maybe." Madison answers.
"-Yattamori!" Toshiro starts.
"-Well, what else am I supposed to tell him?!" Madison interupts.
"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!" Cree yells, grabbing everyones attention.
Madison sighs.
"Cree, do you remember what happened to you?" she asks.
Cree blinks as she scratches her head.
"Does the name Hebi Denkou sound familiar?" Madison asks.
Cree's eyes widen as everything that happened to her comes rushing back in one moment. From seeing Madison get slammed from behind, to when she was trying to run over to her, before falling to ground. Finally as the memories fade, she grabs Madison by the shoulder, who's still sitting beside her.
"You mean that really happened?!" Cree yells.
Madison looks surprised for a moment, before sighing.
"Yes Cree." she finally answers.
Cree lets go and looks down at the ground, trying to make sense of everything.
"Cree." Madison says, distracting Cree.
"What?" she asks.
"Cree...we brought you to the Soul Society." Madison admits.
Cree's eyes widen, stunned by what she was just told.
"What...?" she mumbles.
"After you fell unconscious, Yattamori and I decided that the best thing for you, considering your unknown powers, would be to bring you here to discover more information about your zampakutou, which we've guessed is called Hebi Denkou." Toshiro explains.
"B-But, what about my family?" Cree asks.
"Don't worry, in the other world, it's night, and our bodies are just sleeping." Madison reassures her, freaking her out even more.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Madison sighs.
"When we come to this world, only our spirits travel here. Our spirits leave our bodies, leaving them in an unconscious, sleep-type state." Madison explains.
"S-So, that time when you past out during your party, you..." Cree starts, before trailing off.
"Came here, along with all the other times." Madison finishes.
"That's unbelievable..." Cree whispers.
Madison chuckles.
"To most, yes, but to us, it's just a part of everyday life." Madison says.
"But still, some of the things that have been happening lately have been strange." Another women says, stepping up from behind the others, "Especially the Yattamori, Shecker split a few weeks ago."
"Yattamori, Shecker split? What's that?" Cree asks.
Madison gulps a little, before beginning to hold herself.
"Madison?" Cree asks.
"A few weeks ago, Yattamori and I were scouting an area in a place called the World of the Living, when our new enemy, called the Bijuu, attacked us." Toshiro starts.
"Bijuu? Like Naruto Bijuu?" Cree asks.
Everyone accept Madison become confused.
"Naruto? What's Naruto?" Momo asks.
"Nothing, continue Toshiro." Madison says.
"Anyway, Yattamori and I tried our best, but when Yattamori was injured, we had little chance to win. Luckily, backup came, but then the leader of the group attacking us showed up. He sent me flying into a nearby river, then centered in on Yattamori. After pinning her to a nearby tree, he used some power to spilt Yattamori into two people." Toshiro continues.
Cree's eyes widen.
"Two people...?" Cree says.
"Yes, the Madison you know, Madison Shecker, and Yattamori, Madison Yattamori. Then, four days later, the two had to duel to the death."
Cree gasps.
"What?! Who won?!" Cree yells.
"Shecker." Madison says, taking Cree by surprise.
"What?..." Cree asks.
"Shecker, Madison Shecker was the one who won." Madison says, "Or, I won the duel, I guess I should say."
"So then, what happened to Yattamori?" Cree asks.
The room falls silent for a few moments, before Madison sighs.
"She returned to just being my memories of my last life." Madison answers.
"...Last...life..."
Cree gulps.
"Madison..." Cree starts.
Madison blinks.
"Yeah?" she answers.
"Why...why were you stabbed in the heart?" Cree asks.
Madison eyes widen as the other gasp, including Toshiro.
"How...did you find out about that?" Madison asks.
Cree stalls for a moment.
"I told her." Toshiro confesses, surprising everyone.
"Captain, you told?!" the light haired women asks, surprised by the thought of his actions.
"Yes, she wanted to know why Yattamori didn't stay in the Soul Society." Toshiro explains.
"Madison." Cree says, regrasping Madison's attention, "Please, why were you stabbed?"
Madison looks at her for a few moments with concern in her hazel eyes, before gulping. She looks up at Toshiro.
"Do you not want me to tell her?" Madison asks him, causing Cree's hair to stand more on end.
Toshiro looks away for a moment, thinking the question over. Finally he sighs, and turns back.
"It's alright." Toshiro answers.
"Will you be alright?" she asks.
He nods.
Madison sighs, then looks back at Cree.
"14 years ago, Toshiro and I had been scouting in the Soul Society, same thing as when our Yattamori-Shecker situation happened while in the World of the Living. While we were going through a forest outside one of the Rukon Districts, we were attacked by powerful Hollows. While standing back to back after going against them once or twice, I had a vision." Madison starts.
"What did you see?" Cree asks.
Madison looks back up at her.
"I saw Toshiro get stabbed through the back with an arrow-shot sword." Madison admits, a few tears beginning to grow in her eyes.
Cree's eyes widen in alarm, before looking over to Toshiro, who's gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.
"After, Toshiro began to walk from me, and I knew that he was uh...you know." Madison continues, "So, I got rid of Mamori, and pushed him out of the way. That's when it happened."
Cree gasps.
...She died...protecting Toshiro...
Toshiro walks out of the room, and slams the door, catching everyones attention.
"Toshiro..." Madison trails, "He still blames himself."
Cree turns back towards her, seeing that she not only looks concerned, and a little saddened, but maybe even a little irritating. Moments later, she clenches her own, taking everyone still in the room by surprise.
"Damn, when will he ever realize it's not his fault?!" Madison says, stunning Cree and the others, "And why does it still matter?! I'm here now, so it doesn't even count even more!"
Cree chuckles, taking Madison by surprise.
"What's so funny?" Madison asks.
Cree looks over at her.
"It doesn't matter if happened 14 years ago, but you're here now. The main fact is that something that he did, did lead you to sacrifice yourself for him. I mean, hasn't he ever done the same for you, just not to that much extent?" Cree asks.
Madison turns away, before her eyes widen, and she nods.
"He's done it twice before. Once when I first came back, and another when...he fought her." Madison admits.
Confusion crosses Cree's face.
...Her?...
Suddenly, Madison gets up.
"I'm sorry, I-I just..." Madison stutters, before she finally walks out, not able to take it any longer.
Cree reaches to her as she shuts the door.
"Madison, stop-" Cree starts.
"No, Cree." the light haired women snaps, taking Cree by surprised.
Cree looks up at her, to see a concerned look as her expression.
"Rangiku, what's wrong?" Momo asks, revealing the women's name.
"Yattamori doesn't walk out on conversations. You know that. She must of been seriously uncomfortable or on the verge of tears to have to leave. The only one I can even think of talking to her and making it through to her in this type of situation is my Captain, and he already left. So, to me, I think that it's best that we leave her alone for a little while to allow her to calm down." Rangiku explains.
Cree sighs, then looks back at the door where Madison had just fled. As she watches, many questions pop into her mind. But, one out of all of them repeats itself in her mind.
...Just who...is "her"..?...

Death and Reincarnation (Madison Shecker's Story) pt. 44

"...Oh. My. God. This can't really be happening, can it?! I mean, not that I ever thought that my friends weren't strong or powerful, but out of all I can imagine, I never suspected this! But, I suppose I should be somewhat relieved that it's her, not someone that I might have to worry about like Virginia or Kayla. Though, that fact still doesn't change our situation at the moment. Oh, yeah, one more little question that I have yet to answer. WHY THE HECK IS THERE A HOLLOW IN THIS WORLD?! Did it follow Toshiro and I, has it been here for a while, or did it just magically appear out of thin air?! Though I strongly believe it's not the last one, there's now so many new questions that I have to answer. And it starts with how I explain to Cree that well, I can travel to the world of Bleach. This should be interesting..."

December 16th, 2010
OUR WORLD
4:15 p.m.
Toshiro's (Tomas's) Perspective
Toshiro grins as Yattamori and he think back to the funny accident during band (he's been order to learn how to play saxephone, ugh), their last hour, involving Virginia and two clarinets. As the two laugh, pronounce footsteps seem to begin to grow louder as they walk down the cobble ailey towards Madison's pick-up destination, Bev's Restraunt (He likes their Angus Burger). Yattamori pauses slightly before him, seeming to reconginize the steps.
"Cree, why are you stalking us?" Yattamori asks.
Toshiro turns like Yattamori and is surprised to see that Yattamori had been right about it being Cree, carrying her math book under the leather arm of her coat. She walks directly towards them, seeming to have buisness with them.
"Ok, what's up?" Cree asks.
Yattamori's and his eyes widen, surprised by the question.
"Huh?" Yattamori says.
"What are you two hiding from me?" Cree asks.
Their eyes widen even more.
"What do you mean?" Toshiro asks.
"You two are hiding some secret from me. I know it. And, as Madison knows well, I'm not a fan of being kept in the dark. I want to know what's goning on." Cree explains.
Toshiro's breath catches.
...She's on to us...
Yattamori seems to sense his tention.
...Calm down, there's no way she'd guess about the Soul Society, we just need to give her a fake secret big enough that she'll no longer expect anything from us...
Cree notices their silence.
"Well, tell me!" Cree commands, sounding a little angrier.
Yattamori sighs.
"Listen Cree, you're right, we are keeping something. Though, we wanted to keep it from you guys until we knew it was final." Yattamori says, sounding smooth as glace.
"What?" Cree asks.
"Do you want to tell her, or me?" Yattamori asks, taking Toshiro by surprise.
"Uh, you can tell." Toshiro answers.
"Alright. Well, Toshiro might be moving into my neighborhood!" Yattamori says, smilng.
Toshiro smiles.
That is smart.
Cree blinks a few times.
"Seriously?" Cree asks.
"Yepe, we didn't want to say anything until everything was signed on the house." Yattamori explains, lying like an expert, but also like a housewife.
Cree shrugs.
"Alright then. If that's what you say." Cree says.
Toshiro sighs, relieved.
After they finally get passed the awkward zone of the secret confrontation, the trio find themselves laughing their heads off as Yattamori tells the funny story about Virginia. When they get halfway there, as they come to be inbetween the usual off white and dark blue houses, a sudden feeling of ominous intentioins sparks from the Earth below them. Toshiro and Yattamori stop instantly, knowing the nostalgic spark well. But, it's how Cree reacts that puts them over the edge.
"Wh-What's that?!" Cree yells, before looking looking over at them, "Do you know what that is?!"
Toshiro looks over at Yattamori for a hint of how to explain what's going on, but nothing seems to come to Yattamori's mind. Sweat seems to go down both of their faces as they try to explain.
"Do you?!" Cree yells again.
Yattamori finally seems to give in.
"Cree, you need to-" Yattamori starts.
"Well, what do I have here...? A few...appetizers..." a dark voice says from behind them.
Toshiro and Yattamori whip their heads around to see a gigantic hollow, about the size of at least three school busses stood up on their ends.
"Oh no..." Yattamori whispers.
"What...is that...thing?!" Cree yells, the color in her face fading.
Toshiro's eyes widen
...SHE CAN SEE IT?!...
"Ma-Madison! What's going on?!" Cree yells, running to Yattamori's side.
Yattamori looks away.
Suddenly, Toshiro sees a tenticle rush towards Yattamori.
"Yattamori, look out!" Toshiro yells.
Yattamori turns and flashsteps out of the way just in time, just missing the tenticle as Cree stands in shock. For a moment, she looks at the spot where Yattamori had just been, shaking.
"Cree! Are you alright?!" Toshiro yells, running towards Cree.
"What the...how did she...where did...?" Cree mutters, unable to finish a thought.
Toshiro's expression turns to that of concern.
"Toshiro, I think I'll have to take care of this one." Yattamori says as she reappears right in front of them, taking Cree by surprise.
"What do you mean "take care of it"?! It's 4 stories tall! It'll kill you Madison!" Cree yells, tear coming to her eyes.
Yattamori chuckles.
"You know Cree, there are a few reasons why I took such a liking to you when first met. But one of the main ones was that you were never one to show fear, never once showing a tear in my pressence, or any one else's infact." Yattamori starts, "So, please Cree, don't break that record here, it's not worth it. Hollows like this one aren't worth crying over, trust me. Just stay out of the way so you don't get hurt, I wouldn't forgive myself if it came to that."
The hollow begins to laugh in it's dense, dark voice.
"What's this? It seems that my prey is thinking too much of itself. Well, I'll change that!" the hollow yells.
It's Yattamori's turn to laugh, silencing the hollow for a moment.
"Why are you laughing, girl...?" the hollow asks.
"Because, it seems like the rest of the brainless hollows out there, you're too dumb to realize that I'm not a regular human." Yattamori says, beginning to glow a lime green.
Cree's eyes widen.
"Ma-Madison..." Cree whispers.
"Cree!" Yattamori yells, taking Cree by surprise, "Don't worry. Madison Yattamori can take care of this. Just trust me."
"Madison...Yattamori...?" Cree restates.
Toshiro looks back down at Cree. She looks up at him, confusion in her eyes.
"Tomas...who's Madison Yattamori?" Cree asks.
He grins.
"Just look, she's standing right in front of you." Toshiro answers, "Madison is Yattamori, the lost Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads."
Cree's eyes widen in alarm.
"What?!" Cree yells, "What are you saying Tomas?!"
"Oh, my name's not Tomas." Toshiro starts.
Cree's eyes widen even more then before.
"What?..." she mutters.
"Call me Toshiro, Toshiro Hitsugaya." Toshiro says as he feels his disguise fading, his spiritual pressure returning as his silver hair and turquiose eyes become dominant.
Cree just stares at him for a moment, not believeing what she's seeing. After finally getting over his appearance, she looks back over at Yattamori. She's glowing stronger then ever, finally beginning to transform. Soon, she will not be Madison Shecker, the person Cree has come to love, but Yattamori.
"C'mon Yattamori, don't keep us waiting!" Toshiro yells.
Yattamori nods.
"MAMORI KOUDOUTAI!"
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Cree's Perspective
She watches in shock and disbelief as Madison begins to morphe into someone else, into a girl that looks very similar to the original Madison. Her hair is still chestnut brown and wavy, but it's four or five times longer, and it's held up in a high ponytail by a lime green ribbon, her bangs now covering her right eye and thick strands of hair are all that hang down now, covering both her ears. Her eyes are glowing a slight blue. Similar to what Madison's have looked like in past circumstances. She's has a leather string necklace with a green, quarter-sized pendant hanging about six inches from her neck, along with a pink ribbon choker with another lime green gem attached to it around the base of her neck. She wears a pink, sleeveless, over-thing over a kimono with black curly-lined designs and black trimming, lime green arm bands transending from underneath the sleeves of the kimono, along with sandals worn over white sock-like things on her feet.
Cree's eyes widen in surprise.
...She's the girl from that vision in the middle of Madison's and my first duel!...
Madison, uh, Yattamori soon becomes encased in the lime green light, revealed moments later with wings, like that of an angel's. In her hand is a bow n' arrow, already strung and ready. Grunts in alarm take Cree's attention back to the colossal creature, seeming now to tremble in fear.
Unbelievable.
"Y-You! You're a Soul Reaper?!" the thing yells.
Madison grins.
"Unfortunate, isn't it." Madison says as she pulls her arrow back even farther, "Now die."
She releases, and in blinding moment, what looks like thousands of arrows shoot from Madison's one bow, hitting the thing square in the face with deadly prescision.
"AGHHHHHHHHHH!"  the beast screams as it turns to dust, ultimately being defeated.
For a moment, they all stand silent, unable to break any tention. But, finally, Madison resheathes her sword in a sheath tied to her back, something that hadn't been there a moment ago. As she releases it, it disappears once more, stunning Cree even more.
"H-How did you...?" Cree mumbles.
Madison responds to her mumbling and turns around to face her, a look of an experienced trained fighter pasted to her face, though it somehow is still content.
She sighs as she comes to stand over Cree.
"Oh Cree, I wish that you wouldn't of seen that. It would of made it so much easier on all of us, especially Toshiro and I." Madison says.
Cree blinks a few times, trying to to break down entirely.
"Wh-What's going on?! Why does Tomas look like your character?! Why do you look like you just stepped out of Bleach?! What was that thing?! How did you-?" Cree stammers.
"-Whoa, whoa, calm down Cree. One question at a time, please." Madison instructs, kneeling at Cree's side.
"Maybe you should start at the beginning, just so she understands everything clearly." Tomas, no, Toshiro suggests from nearby.
Madison nods and turns back towards Cree, sighing as she scratches her head.
"Alright, this is what happened. From the beginning, so listen carefully." Madison starts.
For about the next 20 minutes, right after Madison called her mom to tell her she was hanging out with Cree, Madison and Toshiro explain the whole to story behind their situation. From the first time they met, to the Soul Society and the World of the Living with Hollows, Soul Reapers, and zampakutous, and the whole two worlds plus two identities thing. Though, as she listens, she can sense just by the way they tell the story that they're leaving something out of this explanation. And all this causes her to just become more curious by the second.
"Do you understand, Cree?" Madison, no, Yattamori asks.
Cree comes back to reality.
"Y-Yeah, but one more thing." Cree says.
Madison and Toshiro blink in surprise.
"Uh, what?" Toshiro asks.
Cree gulps, hoping that she doesn't hit a sour note with her question.
"I understand how you were there, then went back after you saw "Bleach" during your birthday party. But, why did you, Yattamori, leave in the first place?" Cree asks.
Madison's and Toshiro's eyes widen in alarm. It's what Cree dreaded, she hit the sour note.
"Uh..um, well..." Madison starts, kinda loosing the color in her cheeks.
"W-What?" Cree asks.
"The reason why Yattamori left is because she-" Toshiro starts.
Suddenly, Madison goes flying into the air, hitting a nearby fense with bone-snapping intensity.
"AAAHHHHH!" Madison screches from the dust cloud, obviously in agonizing pain.
"Madison!" Toshiro and Cree yell.
From behind, a nostalgic tentacle zooms past Cree as she's pulled away by Toshiro, ultimatly being saved from Madison's fate. She opens her eyes to see that Toshiro seems to be running away from the probable Hollow, angering her.
"What are you doing?! We have to help her. She's seriously wounded!" Cree snaps.
"I know that! But you need to be taken someplace safe so you don't get involved, or else you'll be wounded. Heck, maybe even worse!" Toshiro counters, silencing her for a moment.
He stops and pushes her in the shadows of a tree, hiding her behind some limbs.
"Stay here, I'll take care of the Hollow." Toshiro orders, turning away from her.
"Toshiro wait." Cree says.
He turns back.
"What?" Toshiro asks.
"You never answered my question. Why didn't Yattamori stay?" Cree asks.
Toshiro's eyes widen, before he turns back.
His silence tells her that he'll probably not answer, causing her to look off herself.
"She was killed. Stabbed through the heart." Toshiro says, before disappearing.
Cree gasps and turns back to see where Toshiro once was.
...Madison was...what?!...
She watches as Toshiro reappears near the place Madison is, before disappearing once again.
Then, before she can blink, Toshiro is back in front of her, Madison cradled in his arms, unconscious and severely injured. He hands Madison over to Cree, taking her by slight surprise.
"Protect Yattamori until I get back." Toshiro says as he stands back.
"Uh, alright." Cree says as she nods.
She then looks down to see just how much damage she has taken from the blow. Externally, she has a few gashes along her body, a blood trail running from the corner of her mouth, meaning she has some internal damage. Though, when it does come to the internal damage, Cree can just tell that it probably isn't that pretty. Madison struggles to breath normally, seeming to go in and out of consciousness as she lies on Cree's thigh. Suddenly, she wakes up with a big cough. Her eyes seem slightly glazed as she looks around, finally landing on her after a few moments.
"C-C..ree." she mumbles, her voice cracking.
"Try not to move or speak Madison, you're serverely injured." Cree says.
Sudden snapping noises coming from nearby cause Cree to whip her head up. Her eyes widen in alarm as she sees Toshiro try to fight off the many tentacles of another Hollow that closely resembles the other that Madison had defeated easily. After a few moments, Toshiro gets his arm caught.
"To-Toshiro!" Madison screams, cringing seconds after.
"Madison, stay still!" Cree yells.
"B-But Toshiro. He's in trouble!-" Madison shouts as she sits up, or attempts to.
"And what do you think you can do in your condition?!" Cree snaps.
Madison falls silent, not enjoying being helpless. Cree looks back up to see that somehow Toshiro escaped, though the Hollow seems angrier because of it. Though, a light from below steels her attention. She looks back down at Madison to see a yellow light surrounding her midsection.
"What the heck are you doing?" Cree asks.
"I-I'm healing myself." Madison answers, panting slightly.
Cree's eyes widen.
"You can heal yourself?!" Cree asks.
Madison nods.
"But since I'm more injured then normal, it's gonna take it longer to heal. So, if Toshiro can't hold himself for the next 15 to 20 minutes, he's dead." Madison explains as Cree helps her up to lean against the tree.
Suddenly, Toshiro's pained grunt rings from behind them. They both whip their heads and gasp as Toshiro looses his sword.
"Oh, no!" Madison yells, "Toshiro, get out of there!"
But it's too late, the tentacle takes advantage of Toshiro's predicament and wraps tight around him.
"AGH!" Toshiro yells as it squeezes him.
"Toshiro!" Madison yells as she tries to stand, only to crumble to the ground.
Cree feels sweat begin to group on her face.
...What do I do?! Madison is too injured to fight and Toshiro's captured!...How can I help?!...
"...Use me...Cree..."
Cree's eyes widen in alarm as the man's voice crosses her mind.
...What was that?...
"...Cree, summon me, and defeat the Hollow..."
She turns around to find herself in a world she's never seen before. The void is a lighter green, pipes running from unknown shadows. She looks down to see herself standing over clear water, the bottom unseen.
...Cree...
She whips her head around in reponse to the voice.
"Who's calling me?! Who are you?!" Cree yells.
"Cree...do you want to save your friends...?" the voice asks.
"Yes, of course!" Cree responds.
"Then call my name, and I shall give you strength!"
Suddenly, wind blows strong from behind her. She squeezes her eyes shut, only to open them to amazement. Hanging high above her is a great, colosal, yellow serpent, it's tail wrapped tight around one of the pipes. It's body body shines like glass, though as she watches, sparks of electricity seem to spit from the snake's body, taking her by more surprise.
"Call my name, Master!" the serpent yells.
Without reason, a name nostalgic to a few days ago pops back into her head, though she once thought it lost. She turns away to face the wind, whiping her hair wildly as she feels the water beneath her feet ripple with each of her steps.
"You're my zampakutou, aren't you?" Cree asks.
The serpent doesn't answer for a moment.
"That is correct, Cree." it finally answers.
Cree chuckles, before turning back to face the snake.
"Then return, HEBI DENKOU!" Cree yells.
Instantly, the world around her disappears, returning her back to the alley. She opens her eyes to see that the Hollow, along with Toshiro (who's still captured), is staring at her. She looks around and catches a glance at her outfit, which has changed. Now, she wears a kimono similar to Toshiro, full black, though the trim is kinda like Madison's. Though, she soon forgets about it as she comes to stare down the Hollow.
"What?" the Hollow says, a little taken back by Cree.
"Strike," Cree snaps, holding her arm out to her side,
"She isn't..." Toshiro mumbles.
"HEBI DENKOU!"
Yellow light begins to spark and snap around her, surrounding everything in sight, scaring the Hollow slightly. In her palm, Cree senses the hilt of her sword morphe from the air, causing her to grin.
"Hanta-Dendou (Lightning Hunter)!" Cree yells, pulling her sword across her arm.
Suddenly, the blade begins to spark and glow, until suddenly the katana is a full out lightning bolt, reminding her of Zeus, for some odd reason. Without remorse, she takes all of the force in her arm and throws the bolt straight for the Hollow, hitting it's mask with deadly precision.
"ARGGGGGGGG! H-How?! How could...a weak brat..like you..kill me?!" the Hollow scretches, releasing Toshiro as it flails it's body back and worth in insane bends and twists.
Cree chuckles.
"Madison was right, you Hollows need to acquire some knowledge, because you're too brainless to be able to ravage as you do," Cree says as she turns away from the dying Hollow, "Now Die, HEBI DENKOU, RIMEN (Reverse)."
Without a second to spare, the lightning bolt stabs through the Hollow, coming out through the front of the Hollow's mask, flying at such tremendous speeds, to only stop only about a foot behind Cree.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" the Hollow yells, finally fading to dust in the wind.
For a few minutes, the three don't move, until finally Cree turns and takes grasp of the bolt, the electic currents disappearing instantly as she wraps her hand around the hilt. Though, the grasp is short, as like the Hollow, Hebi Denkou vanishes. Kinda like how Madison's disappears. Her eyes widen in alarm as Madison reenters her mind. She whips her head around to see Madison still leaning against the same tree, her pained expression changed to that of astonishment.
"Madison-!" Cree starts as she begins to run towards Madison.
Suddenly, her legs give out beneath her and she watches as she fall to the Earth, the world going back as Madison's voice rings through her mind.
"CREE!"

Death and Reincarnation (Madison Shecker's Story) pt. 43

"...Sword fighting has been in my nature since before I discovered Mamori Koudoutai. We had to use wooden swords in the Soul Reaper Academy, but once we discovered our zampakutous, we had to learn how to cordinate our bodies and spirits with them. But, just because we are experienced with real swords, doesn't mean we're any less experienced with different types of swords. The last time I did this, Cree and I battled it out. But, since Toshiro's here, I have a feeling that I'll be having fun with him during this class, though I want to battle Cree one more time to see if what I saw the last time was real, because if I'm right, then I'm gonna have bigger things to worry about..."

December 14th, 2010
OUR WORLD
Gym
Toshiro's Perspective
Slowly, Toshiro walks out of the boys' locker room, wishing that he could change out of the red jersey shorts and black tee. Though, when he spots Yattamori, he quickly forgets, considering that Yattamori  actaully looks ok in the outfit. Soon, her other friends follow, looking almost as good as her. As soon as she sees him, she grins and runs over to his side.
"Hey, c'mon dude, you're gonna love what we're doing in class." Yattamori says as she pulls me over to one of the two bleachers, people watching as we pass by.
"What are we doing?" he asks.
Yattamori turns and laughs.
"Sword play!" she laughs, smiling wide.
His eyes widen, before brightening slightly. He looks around Yattamori to see what she says is fact, seeing plastic swords sitting in a bin nearby.
"So, you wanna fight one on one?" Yattamori asks.
He grins.
"Wait Madison! He doesn't know anything from this section of gym." Anna says.
Yattamori laughs.
"Are you kidding me?" Yattamori says as she walks over to the bin, picking up to katanas, "Toshiro has been fighting longer then I have."
She throws one to him, he catching it easily in his grasp, before looking up at her.
He chuckles.
"Actually, you started before I did." he says as he unsheaths his sword.
She smiles.
"Well, considering what happened, you're the more experienced." she says as she unsheaths her own.
He grins.
"Just fight." he says.
Without regret, Yattamori throws her sword down on his, causing a weird clapping noise. He twists the sword with his wrist, and causing them to go into a sword lock. Yattamori grins as they stare at each other, the world around them beginning to drone out with the cheering of Yattamori's friends, as well as the other kids around them. Soon, the two see each other as they usually look, seeing Yattamori's hair grow long and her uniform takes back it's shape. He grins as he senses his eyes become blue and watches as his shagy blone bangs recede to leave one, now as white as winter snow.
"We haven't had a good practice duel since you got back." Toshiro says, "Unless you call the first day you were back, along with a few days back practice."
Yattamori laughs, her voice full of life and joy.
"Fine, come at me with everything you've got, but make sure we don't end up flying, I don't feel like explaining that to my friends." Yattamori responds.
"Fine."
As they pull away from each other, they sense their plastic blades changing into their zampakutou, the swords now shining in the light as the metal reflects.
"You ready?" he asks.
Yattamori grins.
Without warning, Yattamori throws all her weight into Toshiro's blade, smiling as she does. Toshiro takes the surprise and feels himself skid back on the smooth hardwood. Soon, he has no choice but to back flip. As he does, he feels eyes staring him down and ahing coming from all directions. But he pays no attention, doing his hardest not to be outbeat by her again. He returns with a sharp right, causing Yattamori to hold her blade tight, her wrist holding hard on the other side. She pushes him off and immediately cuts for an above hit, though he counters before her blade can hit. They stay there for a minute, gritting there teeth as each tries to outmatch the other.
"Had..enough yet?" Yattamori asks, still strugling on top to gain ground.
Toshiro chuckles.
"Are you..kidding? I'm just getting...warmed up!" Toshiro yells.
He pushes her off, taking her by surprise as she stumbles back, though she catches herself easily.
She smiles.
"And who said I wasn't too!" Yattamori says as she runs at him, her sword ready at her side.
Within seconds, their swords are crossing once again. Unable to be seen by normal eyes, sparks fly fast at each strike of the metal. Yattamori tries her hardest to counter and come through the middle, though, it seems to be in vain because Toshiro keeps her from trying. Then, as if anger had suddlenly burst from his body, Toshiro jerks his arm, therefore his wrist, in a matter that traps Yattamori's blade. Her eyes widen as he twist the katana from her hand and sends it flying. He then holds the sword to her neck, causing her to somewhat freeze.
"Match, me." Toshiro says, feeling dominant.
As she stands, Toshiro watches as she smirks, causing him a somewhat worry. She chuckles.
"You can't say match until you know you've won!" Yattamori says.
With the most grace he's seen, Yattamori disappears from his sight, and within seconds, Toshiro feels his feet taken out from beneath him. He glimpses down to see Yattamori jumping back, grabing her sword. He grits his teeth in irritation, wishing he had seen this coming, especially from her. He flips over before he hits the ground, holding his sword fast in his fist. Soon, he throws his sword against her's, sparks flying in all directions. But before he knows it, his sword is wripped from his hand by Yattamori's twist thrust, causing it to fly high in the air. Soon, he finds a sword tip at his neck, causing him to tense. He watches as Yattamori smiles, catching his sword as it falls back to Earth.
"Match, me." Yattamori says, grinning.
He grits his teeth in irritation.
"Oh, shut up. I let you win." Toshiro answers.
She laughs.
"Really, 'cause your look says otherwise."
"Alright you two, break it up you two." Mr. Chiado says, snapping the two of them back to reality.
He looks around to see kids their age cheering, loving the fight, some booing at the fact that Yattamori won. He looks back over at her to see her resheathing her Mamori Koudou, no, her plastic sword. She turns and smiles, causing some of his hatrid to vanish instantly.
"Good fight." Toshiro says, holding out his hand.
His gesture takes Yattamori by surprise, but causes her to grin even bigger then before.
"You bet it was. You had me on my toes every second." Yattamori says as she takes his hand, shaking it.
He grins. Yattamori had always been a great fighter, but now, as life has begun to move forward, Yattamori's powers and abilities seem to be increasing everyday. But, with that in my mind, an odd thought pops up in his head. What are the extensions of her powers, not to mention his own?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cree's Perspective
Her jaw drops as she watches Tomas and Madison duel, each wielding their plastic swords as if they were professionals in the trade. And Madison's move at the end for the win just impresses her more. In the year or two that she's known Madison, she's never been so concentrated on something like this, unless you count story telling and drawing under that. As soon as they finish shaking their hands, Tomas and Madison turn to walk towards her and the others.
"That was amazing, you two!" Virginia compliments, kinda jumping on Madison.
"How did you two do that?!" Kaylee asks.
"Those moves, where did you learn them?!" Anna asks.
"Whoa, whoa, you two, give the two of them time to breath." Cree interupts.
Madison and Tomas chuckle, amused by the interactions between Cree and the others.
"Hey, Cree." Madison says, catching Cree's attention.
"W-What?" she asks.
"You and I need to do a rematch." Madison says, taking Tomas's sword from him.
"What?!"
Madison throws the sword to Cree, she catching it nicely in her grip. She gulps silently, pulling the blade slightly from it's sheath. She sighs and looks up at Madison, who's smiling.
"C'mon, it'll be fun." Madison says, still grinning.
Cree sighs again.
"Why? You won fair and square." Cree asks.
Madison chuckles.
"I think you were distracted."
"What about you? At first, you didn't even want to duel me." Cree protests, "Something about being too chicken or something. Finally, I had to coax it out of you, and then you went total master on me."
Tomas' and Madison's eyes widen in surprise.
"I did?" Madison asks.
"You did?" Tomas asks.
Madison turns towards him, a little worry in her eyes.
"You don't think-?" Tomas starts.
"-No, I don't think it's possible. Besides, she probably would of told me if I was acting like that." Madison reassures.
Now Cree's curious, as well as the rest of her friends.
"What?" Cree asks.
Madison turns back towards her.
"Uh, nothing. Never mind, it turns out I like the odds better from the last time now." Madison says as she turns around.
Cree kinda gets it now. Madison doesn't want to fight cause apparently Tomas thinks that something bad happened. Now, she wants to fight.
"What Madison, turning chicken again." Virginia asks.
Madison stops in mid step, taking Tomas by surprise. She turns.
"What?" she asks.
"Well, considering that you're running away like a dog with it's tail between it's leg, it kinda looks like you're scared." Virginia continues.
Tomas gets a nervous look on his face.
"That's not true-!" Madison starts.
"You're an idiot, Madison, really." Virginia says.
Madison cracks.
Like before, one word sends her over the edge, and her eyes burn with what looks like blue flame. She watches as Toshiro begins to pull her back, but Madison continues.
"Get into position." Madison orders, strength in her voice.
Cree nods and positions herself into the familar look that she remembers from last time. Without warning, Madison lunges into a full blow, taking Cree by surprise.
"Madison, don't go to far on her!" Tomas yells.
But, his words don't sink in, and Madison just barrels on strike after strike, making Cree wish she hadn't made Virginia do as she did. As she pulls away, she swings her sword hard, hearing a familar crash from last time. She looks down to see the nostalgic sword that she had laid her eyes on last time. She looks over at Madison's to see that her's has transformed as well, looking the same as before. It's also now that she realizes that they're alone, standing sword locked in a void all their own.
"So, it wasn't just an illusion." Madison says.
Cree looks up to see Madison staring at her.
"What?" she asks.
Madison looks down at her sword.
"The fact that you have a zampakutou. You must have abilities like mine, considering it only shows up when you fight. Though, it's strange, seeing as how that you don't know it's name." Madison explains.
Cree's eyes widen.
"What's a zampakutou?" she asks.
"What's your sword's name?" Madison interupts.
"Huh?"
"What's your zampakutou's name?!" she yells.
"I-I don't know-" Cree starts.
"-Tell me!" Madison snaps, overpowering her.
A sudden rush of strength takes Cree over.
"I DON'T KNOW!" she screams, thrusting her sword with the grace of a master around Madison's.
Her actions take Madison by complete surprise.
"What?!" Madison says.
Within an instant, yellow energy surronds Cree, sending her hair flying in all direction.
"Strike, HEBI DENKOU (Lightning Serpent)!" Cree yells.
A bright like surrounds them as it seems her sword twists unusually around Madison's, causing Madison to slightly panic.
"Mamori!" Madison shouts.
In a flash that neigher remember, they watch as Madison's sword flies from her hand, handing far on the other side of the gym. Cree pants as she realizes she holds a sword to Madison's neck, feeling Madison's tension through the air. They both pant hard as she looks around, realizing that everyone is staring at her, not beleving what she has just done. She then looks back at Madison, who's wide eyed, and her blue flamed eyes are fading back to hazel.
"You...you forced Mamori from me..." Madison whispers.
Cree's eyes widen.
Madison knows what just happened!
"She beat Madison..." she hears Tomas say, his voice full of wonder and disbelief.
She listens as she hears Mr. Chiado's pronounce footsteps coming closer.
"Match...Cree." he says, he not even believing it.
As she lowers her sword, she listens to the many whispers spreading through the room. It's now that she looks at her own sword, realizing that it's plastic once more. She looks back up to see Madison walking over to get her thrown sword.
She pants a little harder.
Not because of her tired body, but because of two other, completely separate things.
1., she had released a phantom sword called Hebi Denkou.
2., she just beat the best sword fighter in the school, her best friend, Madison. 

Poll Results

Results are in for the last question. How much older is Yattamori then Toshiro?...21 days (Yattamori: November 29, Toshiro: December 20). Thanks to those who voted, new poll will be out soon!

Death and Reincarnation (Madison Shecker's Story) pt. 42

"...Ok, I know that my friends have more then a few opinions about Toshiro, I mean, Tomas, but still, just because I'm hanging out with him, doesn't mean I'm dating him, seriously. Toshiro doesn't even like me like that anyway, so why do I even care? This is such a stupid argument that seems to come up every time I begin to become friends with a guy. Virginia and the others always find a way to make it awkward for me and the guy. I swear, if they make it weird what so ever between Toshiro and me, then I'm gonna be mad, no kidding. Because  he and I both know that there's nothing like that going on, and nothing ever will happen. End of discussion, period. But, as I say that, why do I blush?..."

December 14th, 2010
OUR WORLD
7:59 a.m.
Madison's Perspective
Madison yawns as she gets out of her mom's car, her sister following close behind her. She looks towards the steps up towards the steps leading to the walkway into school, and sees Toshiro waiting, leaning against the stone. She quickens her pace and meets up with him with moments.
"Hey." she says as she runs up the steps.
He turns and begins to walk with her.
"So, what do I do?" Toshiro asks.
"Just follow me. Remember your name?"
"Tomas White."
"Good."
Within moments, they're inside the building, turning into the old gym where most of the p.e. classes take place. After turning out to be in one of the hallways, lined with red lockers meant for 7th graders, they quicken their pace as they run a staircase diagonal from the gym exit, and right before the entrance to the band area. Soon after turning into one of the 8th grade hallways (made known by the blue lockers), Madison finds herself running into people she could of gone without seeing.
"Hey, Madison!" Cree's familiar voice says into her ear as she appears besides them.
"Oh, hey Cree." Madison responds.
Cree smiles, before noticing Toshiro walking next to Madison.
"Hey, who's this? I've never seen him around before." Cree asks.
"Oh, this is Tomas. You know, the one I told u about." Madison responds, pointing at Toshiro.
Cree smiles.
"Oh yeah, Hi Tomas, I'm Cree, Madison's best friend." Cree says as she reaches across Madison to hold her hand out to Toshiro.
Toshiro responds and puts his hand in her's, shaking firmly.
"Tomas, nice to meet you." Toshiro says as he pulls his hand from her's.
"So, where are you two headed?" Cree asks.
"The attendance office, Tomas is a new student, so he has to get his stuff." Madison answers.
"You know, I could answer." Toshiro comments.
"You don't know where we're going what-so-ever." Madison argues.
"You could at least let me answer the questions meant for me." Toshiro states.
"Oh, Shut up." Madison answers, all of them turning the corner.
Cree chuckles to herself.
"Wow, you two act like an old married couple." Cree comments.
"No we don't." Madison and Toshiro say at the same time, causing Cree to laugh more.
"Wow. Well, I'm gonna leave you two to your business, see you at lunch." Cree says as she walks off, leaving the two of them alone again.
After a few moments, Toshiro finally breaks the silence.
"She seems nice." Toshiro says as they walk into an office, a large desk sitting in front of them.
"Yeah, she is. Trust me, out of all of my friends, she's the most normal. Virginia, not so much." Madison says as she turns to face the lady at the deck.
"Hello Madison, who's this handsome young man?" the lady asks.
"This is my friend Tomas White, he's a new student." Madison responds.
"Hello." Toshiro says, grinning.
The lady smiles.
"Nice to meet you, now, lets look for you in the database." the lady says as she turns to her computer.
Toshiro looks worried. He leans over to whisper in her ear.
"But I'm not the database." Toshiro whispers.
Madison chuckles.
"Found you, Tomas White, grade 8, 14 in only 6 days, and moved from Japan, nice." the lady says.
Toshiro's eyes widen in surprise.
"Now just wait here while I get your new class scheule."  the lady says as she gets up and walks to a room behind her desk.
Toshiro turns towards her.
"How am I in the database?" Toshiro asks.
"Last night, I broke into the database and made you a fake file." Madison explains, smiling.
Toshiro grins.
"Impressive." Toshiro compliments, causing her to laugh.
Within moments, the two find themselves in their advisory, being Mr. Bailer, their later social studies teacher. Madison goes and puts her stuff at her desk, before returning to Toshiro's side.
Soon, Toshiro and Madison are in their own designated seats, right next to each other in the back of the class.   The class soon becomes hushed as the morning announcements come on, followed quickly by the pledge of allegiance. As the words cross her lips as they have since she was in kindergarden, she looks over to see that Toshiro, well, is having a harder time. When they stop and and pause for a moment of silence, she makes her voice cross his mind.
...It's a pledge that we say here in America, I'll help you with it later...
Toshiro nods and sits with everyone else as the voice ends.
...So, what else do I need to know?...
Toshiro's thoughts go across his mind, meant to be read for her. She grins.
...so much Toshiro, so much...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiro's Perspective
11:18 a.m.
He quickly throws his stuff into his locker directly across from Yattamori, not wanting to be left behind by the only person he knows. As he closes the door, he feels an arm grab him and begin to pull him away.
"What the-?" he says as he turns to se see his abductor.
He falls quiet when he sees it's Yattamori, laughing at him for reasons he doesn't know.
"Why are you pulling me?" Toshiro asks.
"Because, I didn't want you to get lost on our way to the cafeteria." Yattamori answers, releasing her grip.
She reaches into her jacket pocket, then slaps something into his hand. He looks down to see green strips of paper, markings on each side.
"What's this?" he asks.
Yattamori is surprised by his question.
"It's money. Three bucks, and 50 cents." she answers.
"Oh, well, why are you giving it to me?"
"You want to eat lunch, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"To do so, you have to pay the lunch lady at the end of the line."
"Oh, alright." he answers as they begin to walk down a grand-like staircase, a beautifully done mural on either wall, the wall in front of him having what he guesses is the main entrance.
He turns when she does with all the other kids, and walks down a ramp type walk to exit into a hall with the red lockers lining the walls, two double doors opening and closing in front of them that must lead to the cafeteria. He holds the door as he walks in to see many tables lined up into different sections of the room. Kids sit at all the tables, filling them up within seconds after being empty. He feels Yattamori pull him through some groups towards one the larger tables in the center of the room. Though only one girl sits there now, he has a feeling that because of Yattamori sitting there, there must be at least 6 other girls that fill the table, making him feel a bit on edge.  Within seconds, he finds himself sitting amonst a bunch of girls, including the girl named Cree, staring at him, making him feel just as awkward as he thought it would as the girls just kinda stare at him.
"Madison?" one of them asks.
"Yeah Virginia?" Yattamori asks.
Virginia points at him.
"Is this Tomas?" she asks.
Yattamori nods.
"Oh, so you're the famous Tomas." another girl says.
Toshiro feels himself slightly shutter.
...What the heck did she tell them?!...
"Hi, I'm Anna, nice to meet you." a blonde next to him says, smiling.
He grins.
"Thanks, I'm Tomas." Toshiro lies.
He watches as a slight blush rises to Anna's face as she turns back.
"Here, let me introduce everyone. Ok, going from your left side, that's Anna-" Yattamori starts.
"-Hi." Anna says again.
"Kaylee." Yattamori continues.
"Hi Hi." Kaylee responds.
"-Bianca." Yattamori says.
"Hey." Bianca answers.
"Hannah."
"Yo." Hannah responds.
"Virginia."
"Hey." Virgina answers.
"You already know Cree."
"Hello again." Cree says, smiling.
"And everyone knows me, ok, let's go get food." Yattamori says as she gets up from the table, soon followed by the others.
Toshiro once again feels himself being pulled up from his arm, looking up to see Yattamori smiling. Slowly she releases, and they come to a stopping point behind other people there.
"So, Tomas, are you and Madison dating?" Virginia asks.
Both of their eyes widen in automatic surprise and slight disgust.
"No way!" they both yell at the same time.
Toshiro looks over at Yattamori to see that her cheeks are slightly red, meaning she's blushing.
For the rest of the way through the line, the two don't speak, the atmosphere now awkward because of Virginia's question. Luckily though, Cree finds a way to start a new conversation that lightens the air, causing the two to forget the awkward situation totally.
When the lunch period finally ends, the group finds themselves walking back towards the steps. As he laughs at Yattamori and Virginia's stupid argument, he finds himself pulled away from the group. At first, he thinks it's just one of Yattamori's friends, maybe Anna or Kaylee, but when he turns around, he finds a girl he's never met before.
"Uh, hi." Toshiro says.
He looks over the girl. She has jet black hair, straight as a b-line with a clip keeping her hair out of her eyes. Her eyes are a alert gray, mysterious in a way that he can't fathom. She wears a purple 80's tee, one shoulder exposed as the top hangs loose over her body, matched with dark wash skinny jeans, black chucks as her shoes. And for some reason, she has a lot of piercings in her ears, rings of silver and purple rhinestones sparkling in the light, and kinda making him on edge.
"Hello there. What's your name, new boy?" the girl asks.
"Uh, Tomas, Tomas White." he answers, feeling weird using the fake name.
The girl chuckles.
"Well Tomas, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kimmi, Kimmi Joice." she says, moving her arm up her side, making him feel awkward.
"Nice to meet you Kimmi, sorry, but I need to get to my next class-" he starts as he begins to walk off.
Kimmi pulls him back hard, almost dislocating his shoulder.
"Tell me, Tomas, why are you hanging out with such a nobody like Madison Shecker?" Kimmi asks.
He feels the hairs on his neck stand.
"What's wrong with her?"
Kimmi smiles, chuckling darkly.
"So, you don't know, do you?"
"Know what?"
"That Madison Shecker and her little groupies are the most hated bullies in the school."
His eyes widen.
"What?" Toshiro asks
"It's not your fault. Her group always goes out for the new kids, especially the, well, good looking ones." Kimmi says as she pats his shoulder.
"What's that mean?"
"Whenever there's a new kid, her group immediately seeks them out. If they like the kid, they allow them to join the group, if they don't, they boot them to the bottom of the popularity food-chain."
He begins to feel anger boil inside him.
"But hey, don't worry, I got to you just in time. Now that you know what she's up to, I'm sure you'll no longer be hanging with her, so why don't we become-" Kimmi starts as she reaches to caress his face.
"Enough." Yattamori's voice says, her tone dangerous as a hand stops Kimmi's before it reaches his face.
They both turn to see Yattamori holding her wrist, staring her down with hate in her eyes.
"Get away from him Kimmi, right now." Yattamori says, her voice that of anger itself.
Her tone causes Kimmi to back up, but now leave. She frees her wrist from Yattamori's hand.
"Why do you still fight the truth, I've already revealed your little plot, so there's nothing you can do." Kimmi says, before rest her head against his chest, surprising him, and rising Yattamori's temper, "He's my friend now, so beat it, scank."
Yattamori cracks.
Without regret, Yattamori grabs Kimmi by the neck and slams into the wall, releasing and surprising Toshiro. He looks to see her eyes burning like blue flames, rage taking over her body as she tightens her grip.
"How dare you-" Yattamori starts.
"Your eyes, they're blue again! How is it that you do that?!" Kimmi breaths, trying to get air.
Toshiro's eyes widen. Kimmi had said again.
...she's done this before?...
He immediately reacts.
"Yattamori, stop!" Toshiro says as he loosens Yattamori's grip enough for Kimmi to get free.
Yattamori blinks and gasps slightly looking around as her eyes turn back to hazel. She looks up at him.
"Huh? What? What happened?" she asks.
His eyes widen again.
...she doesn't remember what she's done...
"Shecker!" Kimmi yells.
Yattamori turns to be met with a slap to the face, causing her to stumble into Toshiro.
"You little wench, I'm gonna get the dean on you, you hear me?!" Kimmi yells.
"Kimmi, stop." Toshiro commands, taking Kimmi by surprise.
"Why do you defend her?! You saw what she did-" Kimmi says.
"-You pushed her to her breaking point!" Toshiro yells back.
"What I say is true-"
"-It's all false!" Toshiro snaps, "Yattamori would never use people like that, so shut up!"
"Yattamori? Who's Yattamori?" Kimmi asks.
His eyes widen.
...oops...
"Toshiro, that's enough." Yattamori say as she stands straight.
He looks over at her.
"She isn't worth it, let's go. We're gonna be late for Social Studies." Yattamori says as she turns back towards the stairs.
"But Yattamori-" Toshiro starts.
"-I said that's enough." Yattamori snaps, taking him by surprise, before she calms, "Come on Toshiro, please."
He sighs.
"Fine." he answers as he walks up behind her.
"Toshiro?! Yattamori?! What are you two talking about?! What's going on?!" Kimmi yells, "Trust me, I'll find out, one way or another.
Toshiro listens as he hears Kimmi's stomps trailing away in the other direction, causing him to sigh greatly.
"Dang, she's a lot of work-" he begins.
"-Don't trust her." Yattamori interupts.
"I know that."
"Good, she's manipulated so many girls that used to be my friends into hating me. I don't know what I would do if I lost you too."
Toshiro stops.
Yattamori isn't the type that gets easily upset, she's always been the laid back type who could get over anything. But lately, she seems so emotional and off for some reason. It's worrying and kind of depressing as he thinks about, making him on edge. The carefree spirit of Yattamori's has begun to fade away into emotional  off and on known as Madison Shecker, and he hates it.
He walks over to her side.
"Don't make fun of me."
Yattamori looks surprised.
"Do you really think I'd stop being your friend after something like that? I think that if I can see past Devena, I'm probably never gonna leave."
Yattamori stares at him for a moment, before smiling.
She chuckles.
"I think this world is beginning to rub off on me." she says before looking back up with him, "I know that by now, and it's the same for me. Thanks Toshiro, you're a true best friend."
Toshiro feels his cheeks begin to become hot. He turns away.
"Uh, yeah, d-don't mention it." he says.
His studdering causes her to laugh, happy tears beginning to appear at the corners of her eyes.
He smiles.
Ok, he might of exaggerated just a tad on the emotional on and off thing. As he thinks back, Yattamori has always kind of been like this. Happy go lucky most the time, then every once in a while, having a tiny break down from all the bad stuff that's escalated over time. And, as he still thinks back, he realizes that most of her breakdowns have one same reason.
Him.