• “Aya,” a woman with light brown, shoulder length hair called from the bottom of a stairwell. The woman had wrinkles on the sides of her mouth and frustration in her dark brown eyes. Her body was plump; her skin tan. The frustrated woman had her arms crossed and her forehead creased in agitation.
    Finally, a blonde, hazel eyed 16 year old appeared at the top of the stairwell. Her expression slightly annoyed but constructed better to hide the more annoyance she felt. The teenage female was tall, slim but curvy with palish colored skin. She wore a high school uniform consisting of a white, semi-long sleeve shirt, gray tie, black, short skirt, a black blazer, and white knee high socks. Her backpack was slouched over her left shoulder. And her hair was down lying on her back.
    “Yes, mother?” the teenage girl asked, looking down at her mother from the top of the stairwell. The teenager was very polite, but this seemed to only make matters worse with her mother’s attitude.
    “Ayame, what grade is this that I found in your backpack?” her mother asked sternly, holding an Algebra 2 exam in her hand.
    Ayame walked down the steps quickly and grabbed the paper from her mother’s right hand. As the confused teenager looked at the test, her impatient mother began tapping her foot, waiting for an explanation.
    “Hansuke…,” Ayame whispered too low for her mother to hear, but spoke up to explain, “This is not my paper, Mother. This is Hansuke’s. Plus, I’m in an honors class for math.”
    “You’re blaming this on your own brother?” her mother asked clearly annoyed.
    “Well, yeah, because this is his test,” Ayame said.
    “His test, huh? Then, why is your name on it?” her mother asked.
    “Does this look like my writing? It’s his writing. I can even tell that, and you can’t? You’re his own mother for Heaven’s sake,” Ayame answered.
    “Don’t dare blame your brother for this,” her mother said.
    “I’m not blaming him because I’m telling the truth. This is not my test. This is his. Remember? I make the good grades around here. He doesn’t,” Ayame said through her teeth.
    “Hansuke makes good grades,” her mother defended.
    “Yes, Mom, D’s and C’s really get you somewhere in life,” Ayame said sarcastically.
    Her mother said in a rude tone, “Well, at least he-“
    “At least he what, Mom?” Ayame asked annoyed and upset, “What? What does he do that’s so wonderful? Because he sneaks out late at night to go to parties? Or is it because he messes up this house for me to clean up? Or is it because he drinks all the time? Yeah, Hansuke is an angel.”
    “Don’t talk about your own family that way,” her mother scolded.
    “Family? This place is Hell on earth!” Ayame said loudly.
    “So you do a few chores, what teenager doesn’t?” her mother asked.
    Ayame gave her mother a nasty look and said, “Hansuke. He doesn’t do anything around here. Nothing. Zip. And I don’t just do a few chores, Yazuki. I do all the chores because you are too lazy to get up and do them yourself.”
    “I’m appalled, “ her mother, Yazuki, said.
    “You should be! I’m tired of doing everything around here and not being rewarded or thanked for it. I’m done,” Ayame yelled.
    “No, you are not, young lady!” Yazuki growled.
    “Oh, yes, I am! Gladly,” Ayame said, pushing Yazuki away and walking to the front door. She silently got her black shoes on and walked out to the front yard, slamming the door behind her.
    The front door quickly opened and her mother yelled, “You are grounded, Ayame! Grounded, you here? You come home straight from school, got it? If you don’t, I’m calling the police!”
    “Sure, sure,” Ayame whispered, walking away.
    Her brother, Hansuke was leaning against the house with his normal attire on. After Yazuki slammed the front door, Ayame turned around to Hansuke.
    “You and mom fight like this every morning,” Hansuke stated.
    “Yes, I blame you for that,” Ayame said.
    “And what did I do?” Hansuke asked.
    “Nice 57 on your Algebra 2 test. I took an advanced test on the same day. And I got a 96,” Ayame said, “And your writing is worse than mine, anyone can tell that.”
    “But mom didn’t,’ Hansuke said with a slight smile.
    “Because you’re the child that she thinks needs mental help,” Ayame said.
    “No, she doesn’t” Hansuke defended.
    “Oh, right. Maybe not,; then you’re a mama’s boy. And you’re 17. How embarrassing. Especially if the school finds out,” Ayame said.
    “I am not!” Hansuke said angrily.
    “Yeah, well, whatever. I’m off. See you hopefully never, Loser,” Ayame said, turning around and walking down her street.
    Hansuke crossed his arms and ran inside.
    Ayame continued walking down the street. Her best friend Riji always walked with her to school. As she passed his house, he ran out the front door.
    Riji has long, green hair put back into a ponytail with pieces falling out. His eyes were dark green with hazel specs. He was tall and very handsome, but Ayame could only think of him as a friend and same with Riji. Ayame waved as he came to her side. He carried his backpack over his right shoulder. Of course, papers were falling out because he is not organized at all.
    “Hey,” Riji said.
    “Hiya,” Ayame said back.
    “Ready for the history exam today?” Riji asked.
    Ayame turned to him slowly with a straight face, “What exam?” There was an exam! He never told us that! I was paying attention. Are you serious? I didn’t even review my notes or any-“
    Riji covered her mouth with one finger and said with a laugh, “There is no exam today. I was only joking.”
    Ayame’s forehead creased and she hit her best friend on the shoulder three times with her heavy backpack, “You idiot! Don’t play around like that!”
    Riji smiled and said, “It was a joke, Aya-San. Get it? Joke? Laugh?”
    “You’re right! That joke was so damn funny that I forgot to laugh!” Ayame said.
    “So did you see the new anime Heartless out yet?” Riji asked, changing the subject.
    “Typical for you to change the subject. And no, I haven’t. I have been busy,” Ayame answered.
    “Well, it’s very good. Sad actually. Being able to live again without being able to love is miserable,” Riji said.
    “That doesn’t seem so bad. I mean, she wouldn’t get her heart broken,” Ayame said.
    “No, but others will be hurt,” Riji said.
    Both of them continued walking down the streets and finally reached the main road to get to the high school. When they arrived, it was like a mesh pit at a crazy rock concert. Students were walking in and out of the school and others were just sitting around talking with people. There were even protestors.
    “The things they protest in this school is so ridiculous,” Riji said.
    “Agreed,” Ayame said, nodding. There was a poster board saying,” ATTENTION VEGETARIANS:
    Since you do not eat meat, less cows are killed.
    Less cows being killed=more cows
    More cows=more cow farts
    Since a cow's fart releases more global warming gas than most cars do in a month
    Being vegetarian is bad for the ENVIRONMENT”
    Students were everywhere. It was like one big party. The popular kids were all crowded in one corner with their cell phones and ipods. The nerds were studying on the lawn while the goth and emo groups sat on the ground with blank faces. There were three main groups in this school: popular, everyone else, Riji and Ayame.
    Once inside the school, Ayame and Riji could breathe. It was a lot less crowded there. Ayame said, “Well, I’ll see you in history.”
    “Okay, sure thing. And study for that exam,” Riji teased.
    “Shut up,” Ayame said, “And act your age.”
    “But I am, it’s just you acting to maturely,” Riji said, chuckling.
    “Riji,” Ayame said.
    “Yes?” he asked.
    “You’re pocket fell,” Ayame said as Riji fell for the joke and looked at the ground, “Idiot.”
    “Haha,” Riji fake laughed, “Good one. Yeah, I’ll get you back.”
    “See you in history, and I’m sorry you fell for my joke. Next time, I’ll make it very simple so brain can comprehend.”
    “Thanks, Ayame,” Riji said sarcastically.
    “Any time,” she said, smiling, “Bye.” Ayame began walking away.
    “Byes, Aya-San,” Riji said, walking in the opposite direction.
    Ayame walked up the stairs to the second floor and to her first class Chemistry. She sat down in a random seat and waited for class to start. She decided to read Heartless volume 1. It was by Etsuko Yukimada. Riji had given it to Ayame to borrow.
    This seems like a girl’s manga Ayame thought. She didn’t read that far when a boy with black, thick rim glasses sat in the seat next to her.
    The boy had dark brown hair and eyes, and he was averagely built. He peeked over Ayame’s shoulder as she was reading. Finally, Ayame set her book down and looked at the curious eyed boy.
    “What do you want, Kone-San?” Ayame asked.
    “Nothing, just looking at what you’re reading,” Kone answered.
    “Is there a reason you are here?” she asked with a slight bit of agitation in her voice.
    “No, do I have to have a reason?” he asked.
    “What do you want?” Ayame asked.
    “Nothing, just wanting to catch up with you,” Kone answered.
    “Catch up with me?” Ayame asked.
    “Well, yes, Aya-Chan,” Kone said.
    “Don’t call me that…” Ayame said, glaring.
    “Why not? I think that name is cute,” Kone said.
    “I don’t care what you think. I just want you to leave,” Ayame said.
    “But I want to talk to you, Ayame-Chan,” kone said.
    “No, and cut it out with the Chan!” Ayame demanded.
    “Miu-Osaka, they need you in the office,” the teacher called.
    “Thank-you,” Ayame whispered, gathering her things and walking out the classroom door without saying good-bye to Kone.
    The halls were nearly vacant. Everyone was in their classrooms by now. Ayame made her way to the front office and walked in through the glass door. There were two people inside.
    The first one was the front office lady. She organized anything and everything in the front office. Ayame didn't know her name. Nor did she know the other man in the office. The stranger was very handsome and looked to be muscualr. Even though he was sitting down, he looked to be very tall. He had red, long hair, and green eyes. His skin was tan and almost perect. Ayame turned her attention to the office woman and walked to her desk. The office worker was on the phone but quickly, like instinct, peered her eyes at Ayame.
    "Hold on one second," the ofice woman said into the phone and spoke loudly again, "Yes?"
    "I'm Miu-Osaka," Ayame introduced.
    "Aw, yes, someone is here for you," the office woman said, "Tokyoshitomo-San."
    The man who was in the office got out of the chair and nodded.
    "This is Tokyoshitomo Izumi, he wanted to see you Miu-Osaka-San," tho office woman explained.
    "O-okay," Ayame said hesantly.
    "Tokyoshitomo-San, this is Miu-Osaka-San," the office woman informed.
    "Thank-you," Tokyoshitomo said politely, then turning to Ayame he said, "Please, follow me, Miu-Osaka-San."
    "Uh...okay," Ayame said quietly. He led her out of the office and to the school's courtyard.
    As Tokyoshitomo sat on the grass, he said, "Sit down."
    Ayame did as she was told, even though she did not know Tokyoshitomo.
    "Hello, as you have already been informed, I am Tokyoshitomo Izumi," he said very politely.
    "Miu-Osaka Ayame," she said still being quiet.
    "Yes, I know," Tokyoshitomo said maturely, "I'd like to talk with you about something very important." He paused and continued, "How do you picture yourself?"
    "Uh....er....a normal high school girl living in Japan who doesn't get along well with her family, I gues," she answred a little confused.
    "Normail, huh? I think you are more than just your average teenager," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "Well, I don't like sushi if that's what you mean," Ayame said.
    "That's not what I meant," he said, "I did not mean your opinion on seafood. I meant that you are more than just Miu-Osaka Ayame. You are much more than an ordinary teenge girl attending high school."
    "I'm afraid I can't catch on," Ayame admitted.
    "What I am saying, Miu-Osaka-San, is that you are a princess," Tokyoshitomo said, "You are royalty."
    "W;hat? Royalty? Of what?" Ayame asked.
    "Of a distant planet, known as Cypress. You rule over your own planet," he explained.
    Ayame's eyes grew wide with disbelief and her mouth opened in shock. What is he talking about? Ayame asked in her thoughts.
    "This may be hard to handle since I'm telling you this all so suddenly," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "...Uh...er...I mean...I...I can't be a princess. That's impossible," Ayame said.
    "Impossible just became possible," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "I don't believe you. I'm sorry, but how can I believe you? I just met you and all this nonsense about me being royalty is stupid," Ayame said, shaking her head.
    "I understand, but I am telling you the truth. I know that it seems hard to believe, but it's true. You are a princess," Tokyoshitomo said. Ayame didn't say anything so he continued, "You rule over the people of Cypress. These people are different from normal humans here. They have speacial powers. Those powers include; elements, alchemy, sorcery, demonic, angelic, physcic, ninja arts, and more-"
    "Wow, wow, wow!" Ayame interrrupted, "Magic and fantasy? This has gone on too far. Sir, are you drunk?"
    "I beg your pardon, I'm completely sober," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "Right..." Ayame whispered in disbelief.
    "Are you following me?" he asked.
    "No, not at all..." she answered slowly.
    He sighed and said, "The people of Cypress have speacial powers-"
    "I get that part, and I get the part of me being royalty, but you are unbelieveable. I don't understand what you don't get about I don't believe you at all! People like you are wierdos on the internet. Have you been tracking me down by my email or something? Because I'm not interested!" Ayame interrupted again.
    "I'm no such thing. I'm just simply a messanger telling you who you truly are," Tokyoshitomo explained.
    "Messanger, huh?" Ayame asked, "Stupidest thing I've ever heard. Look, I'm leaving. I suggest you see someone about that physco problem you have there." Ayame grabbed her backpack and stood to her feet.
    She was just about ot turn around when Tokyoshitomo said, "I'm not finished."
    "I am," Ayame snapped, as she turned around angrily and began walking quickly away.
    "Come back here!" Tokyoshitomo yelled angrily.
    "In your dreams," Ayame yelled back. She opened the school door and walked inside the empty hallway. With large footsteps, she walked to the stairwell.
    "Come back here," Tokyoshitomo demanded as he ran behind her in the hall. A teacher peered out of her classroom and walked out into the hallway quickly.
    "Is there a problem here?" the female teacher asked.
    "Yes," Ayame said at the same time Tokyoshitomo said,"No."
    "Sir, do you have permission to be on school grounds?" the teacher asked.
    "Yes, I went by the front office," Tokyoshitomo explained.
    "Miu-Osaka, is there a problem?" the teacher asked.
    Tokyoshitomo said before Ayame could answer, "She is fine. I just was running after her. Apparently the office called for her, and she came on her way. I just happened to run into her on my way. I was the one coming to visit her today,"
    Liar! Ayame said in her thoughts, but could not manage to say it. It was as though her voice cords were not working. Whenever she opened her mouth to say something, nothing would come out.
    "Very well then," the teacher said, walking back into her classroom.
    Tokyoshitomo turned back to Ayame. Finally, Ayame could speak, "What was that? Liar! Why couldn't I speak?"
    "Like I said, people of Cypress have powers. And what I did to you just now is only one small fraction of what I can really do." Tokyoshitomo answered.
    "Whatever. I'm leaving," Ayame said, walking up the steps.
    "No, you're coming with me," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "Like that'll ever happen," Ayame doubted.
    "It will. Because Cypress needs you," he said.
    "Well, tough luck. Find someone who is interested," Ayame said.
    "There is no one else. No one else can rule over Cypress. No one else has the power like you do," Tokyoshitomo explained, walking behind Ayame.
    "Me? Have power? Yeah, right. I can't even do a simple card trick," Ayame said.
    "But you are powerful, you just haven't maintained your powers yet," Tokyoshitomo stated.
    "I'm not going no matter how powerful I get. I live in Japan. And only Japan," Ayame said.
    "You are stubburn just like your father," Tokyoshitomo stated.
    "My father?" Ayame asked, turning around to Tokyoshitomo. She was standing on the last step and he was standing two steps below her.
    He too stopped and looked up to her saying, "Yes, your father. He was the Kng of Cypress."
    "Was?" Ayame asked.
    "Unfortunately, yes," Tokyoshitomo said, "And same for your mother."
    "My mother? But my mother lives here...with me...and my brother." Ayame said.
    "No, your mother is missing just like your father. The mother you speak of is an adoptive mother. Her original child died at birth, so someone switched you with the dead child. And no one kowws. Not even til this day." he explained.
    "Why am I even talking to you? You're crazy," Ayame said.
    "Listen to me, it will all make sense when you get to Cypress, you'll see," Tokyoshitomo promised.
    "No, I'm not going to see. I'll never see. I don't want to see. I just want you to leave me be," Ayame said.
    "I will not, until this quest is complete," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "Well, you get an epic fail, because I'm not going!" Ayame said, walking again to her class.
    "I'm going to get my point accross whether you like it or not, Princess Ayame," Tokyoshitomo said, running after her and grabbing ahold of her right arm. Ayame gasped and turned around.
    "Let me go," she demanded.
    "You will listen," he told her.
    "I'll saw off my ears before that happens," Ayame said.
    "No, you're going to listen with open ears and curious eyes," Tokyoshitomo said.
    Ayame grined her teeth toghether and tried to break free from his grasp, but it was pointless. He was too strong.
    "Let me go!" Ayame demanded loudly.
    "You really want to go?" Tokyoshitomo asked.
    "Duh! Let me go, idiot!" Ayame yelled.
    "Fine, have it your way," Tokyoshitomo said, freeing Ayame. Because Ayame was trying to pull away from Tokyoshitomo's grasp with full force, she flew backward after he let her go. Ayame tripped over her feet and fell backwards on her back. Her backpack was 10 feet away laying on its side. Tokyoshitomo walked to her and looked down at her. Ayame's forehead creased and she said through her teeth, "You b*****d!"
    "You said you wanted to be freed," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "I could have broken something," Ayame said.
    "But you didn't," he said blankly.
    "People like you make people like me need medication," Ayame blamed.
    "Well, that makes more jobs," Tokyoshitomo said, "And seeing your ability to keep balance, you're going to need one."
    "Yeah, I know. There's a hospital around the corner. I go there a lot. The nurses know my name too," Ayame said sarcastically.
    "How am I not surprised," Tokyoshitomo said seriously.
    "I was being sarcastic," Ayame pointed out.
    "You were, huh? Well, you kind of suck at it. You wouldn't be a good actress either," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "You're getting on my nerves!" Ayame snapped, getting off the floor and running to retrieve her backpack.
    "I'll stop if you come to Cypress with me," Tokyoshitomo reasoned.
    "Not a chance," Ayame said.
    "Then I'll force you. There's no getting around this, you are going," he decided.
    "Yeah..no," Ayame said, walking away and towards her chemistry class once again.
    "What part of 'You are going!' do you not comprehend?" Tokyoshitomo asked.
    "What part of 'No' do you not understand? The 'n' or the 'o'?" Ayame asked.
    "Accept it, your'e a princess and a ruler. There's no getting around that," Tokyoshitomo said.
    "Leave me alone," Ayame said, walking to the door of her chemistry class and closing the door behind her. Of course, he wouldn't interrupt class. Ayame sat down in an empty desk without the teacher noticing. The teacher just continued the class. Kone didn't bother Ayame durnig class luckily. Class was dismissed and now it was time for history.
    Ayame continued her way to her history class on the thrid floor. She sat in the seat next to Riji who was reading Heartless volume 3.
    "Interested much?" Ayame asked.
    Riji set down his book and looked at Ayame, "I guess you could say that. Hayashi Amaya announced that there is going to be a new series comeing out called Gemini June Moon."
    "Interesting. That sounds like the American Zodiace," Ayame said.
    "It is. It's based off of months," Riji said.
    "Duh. Everyone knows that," Ayame said in an obvious tone, "What is it about?"
    "It says here that it's about revenge and a curse. The 12 gods and goddesses ruled that earth at one time and each pocessed a speacial power. Aquarius pocessed all the powers, but her brother Gamini became jealous and seeked revenge against the others. Virgo joined him in his quest, but they both failed and were set with a curse. Each pair of twins born on June 19 at 6:19A.M. exactly would be cursed along with their descendants. On every full moon, they would turn into vampires, but when they are not vampires, they still pocess powers. Also, each of the cursed ones will be reincarnations of the 12 gods and goddesses. And a 13th member will be the outcast, because that member will resembe the Forgotton Goddess. This legend is true for 13 teenagers who are the cursed ones. this all remains a secret until Kristen Branch finds out whole curse and tries to solve it. Love is in the air along with danger and adventure. How will the curse be lifted? Can the curse be lifted? What will happen? Read and find out." Riji said.
    "It takes place in America?" Ayame asked.
    "Apparently so," Riji answered, "But it seems worth reading."
    "What other mangas has she written?" Ayame asked.
    "She's the author of Powess Rein." Riji said, "That one is good too. It deals with elements and stuff."
    "Wow, this author must be good," Ayame said.
    "Yeah, she's actually American. They say that she couldn't really draw and that she had to find an artist. She emailed a manga company, but they wouldn't read her stories. Finally, she got through. The author also says that her friend forced her to email manga companies," Riji explained.
    "Sounds like she didn't want to be a writer," Ayame said.
    "No, she did, but she was afraid of getting rejected or having no response. All she wanted was someone to read her story. And someone took the time too. Etsuko states that she is very greatful for that person. She also said that her best friend, who forced her to email the editors, would hit her with a frying pan whenever she thought negatively. Amaya says that she thanks her friend for that. It helped her confidence. And that one friend always read her stories," Riji said.
    "That's interesting," Ayame said.
    "She's also blind in one eye. And nearly blind in the other. She says that doctors said that she was going to be completely blind, but it was a miricle that she could see," Riji said.
    "That's kind of sad," Ayame said.
    "Yeah, it is. I wonder if it feels wierd at all," Riji said.
    "Same here," Ayame agreed.
    The final bell rang and class began. Class flew by quickly and when it ended, Ayame had to rush herself over to her foreign language class English. Ayame walked in and tried to do the same thing she tried to do in her first class; sit down and read Heartless. Other students just walked in and talked gossip.
    An English girl with long golden brown streaked hair walked in the classroom and tapped Auame on the shoulder. Ayame quickly looked up and said,"Yes?"
    "Is anyone sitting here?" the British girl asked.
    "No," Ayame said.
    The Brithish high schooler sat down. Her golden hair was straight and long and matched her dark brown eyes. She had very pale skin and was very slim and short.
    "Don't mind me asking, but aren't you English?" Ayame asked.
    "Hehe. Yes," the girl answered.
    "Do you speak English?" Ayame asked.
    "Yes. Japanese is my second language," the gril answred.
    "Then why are you in English 2?" Ayame questioned.
    "It's an easy A," the girl answred, "And by the way, my name is Jade."
    "Ayame."
    "Nice to meet you, mate," Jade said.
    "You too," Ayame said.
    "Class, silence," the teacher said in English.
    "Class, be quiet," Jade translated to Japanese.
    "Thanks," Ayame said.
    Class, of course, went by as slow as ever. When it ended, Ayame asked Jade, "Wnat to sit with us at lunch?"
    "Uh..no, sorry, I have some buisness to take care of," Jade said.
    "Okay. See you around then," Ayame said, waving good-bye and walking out the door.
    "Yes, see you," Jade replied.
    Finally, it was lunch. The best time of the day for anyone that likes to eat. Ayame quickly walked through the halls and to the first floor. She walked in the cafeteria and to the table Riji was sitting at. They began talking about random topics not noticing the pair of eyes watching them.