Across Worlds

Chapter 2: Among the Stars

Time runs differently. In my world and in others. A day here could mean years in there's and vice versa. That's why I try to keep clear of their world, as far away as possible. Except sometimes, there is no other way to find out except to go and check it out. To take risks is what I've always told myself and right now I was worried about the condition of Ikuto. I sighed flipping through a 800 page textbook in front of me with a bored expression. Sensei's voice was once again buzzing in my ear, except this time I wasn't in wood shop, I was in advanced English IV.

The room was strangely stuffy with an odd sour odor that kept wafting past my nose, I tried to concentrate, but it was Ikuto's pained expression that kept itself at me. I made a tired face, after that trip to Amu's house, I just wanted to drop dead on a soft bed. I swiftly remembered drifting through 4th period and going straight home and slept for 12 hours straight. Mama had thought I had died or something, but I had gotten up 6:30 in the morning to walk to school so she was relieved.

The incident in third period was still the talk of the school, even though I got back in time for the power to wear off they still believed in the hole that erupted in the ceiling, not that anyone believed them. They just thought they had a small gas leak and had imagined it all. What a relief on my part.

The bell rang and I got up and hurried out the door, I shifted the backpack on my back when I heard someone yell out my name. I turned around and saw Jun run up to me with a smile on her face. "Hey, wanna go out after I get out of fifth? I heard Mikel and the others are going to a new store that just opened up." She said happily. I fidgeted uncomfortably next to her, I wanted to, but I really wanted to go see how he was doing at the moment. I just gave her a smile and shook my head.

"Sorry, there's something I have to do, Jun-chi." I apologized with a hand in front of me, I started running down the hall with a confused Jun behind staring as if I was an alien, but that didn't matter because there was something else much more important in my mind at the moment.

I ran out the school gate and entered the intersection where the road lead itself to houses that all look almost identical to each other. That's suburban housing for you. I skipped over crosswalk and stood safely onto the other side of the street. I went pass the old house with the barking dog and the house that had white fences surrounding its front yard and headed straight for the empty cul-de-sact. I pointed my finger at the empty lot before me and recited the same lines from yesterday.

"Those that which shields me, show me thy location!" A zap of power flowed outwards when a jagged line appeared just as it did yesterday and stripped on the wall that once was and replaced itself the familiar portal that I was so use to seeing. I gripped my school bag and looked back at the neighborhood, I'll be back, hopefully soon. I just had to.

x x x

I stepped gingerly out of the portal and landed on the ground only not to realize that the road had frozen over with a sheet of ice. My foot caught the ice and it slipped form right under me as if it were banana peel, the next thing I knew my face was meeting itself with the ground. There was a scream that escaped my lungs and a loud thump as my face hit the ground. A sharp pain cascaded itself from my head to the bottom of my feet as I shivered at the agony. I felt hot tears coming on at the corners of my eyes when I heard footsteps running my way. It stopped abruptly in front of me when I heard heaving replacing the running footsteps.

"Na... Nanami-chan?!" A shocked voice overrode the sudden chill that was going down my spine when my eyes looked up to see a pair of flashing green ones staring at me. "Is that you?" I blinked several times at the boy that stood before me. Oh, it was that auburn haired kid that played soccer. I saw the floating character over his shoulder gawking at me with those large eyes, he had a shugo chara too. I remembered him from long ago when I was in middle school and he was just a grade school kid. He was so young then and not to mention short, but now, now he's quite the looker.

Underneath that black beanie hat was messy auburn hair that fell across those illuminating green emerald eyes that shone like crystals even in the darkened sky. It was hard not to stare at him from where I sat. he wore baggy jeans that scraped the floor a little and two overlarge jackets over a t-shirt. He had a beige scarf wrapped around his neck when he bent down to look at me, checking to see if I had injured my knees. "I saw you fall earlier... It was actually kind of hilarious, but I got worried when you wouldn't stand up."

"Erm... Do I know you?" I asked him, I didn't mind that he was so close, he was cute. When he peered up at me from the inspection with a hard frown. I narrowed my eyes, I knew that look, "I'm suppose to know you aren't I?" I mumbled with my hands on my lap as he continued on in silence. It seemed like I really hurt him, I was really trying to remember what his name was and where I had met him. I probably had since I've met with many of these characters from this world. I mean I remembered a little bit of him from the past, but I couldn't remember his name.

Except most of them were years ago. I heard him sigh as he placed his hands on his knees to stare at me, "You really don't remember do you, Nanami-chan." He said my as if he had known me pretty well and by the sounds of it, very close. I lowered my head and shut my eyes trying to remember. A young boy playing with a soccer ball, there something about a net and a fight when faces began to resurface. I opened my eyes again and glanced at him, I couldn't believe I forgot.

I reached out and touched his face, "Souma... You're Souma Kukai. Souma Rento's little brother." I whispered, oh! Yes, that's right that kid from before...

Back then I had always wandered into the their world to see a specific person, I came to their world to see Rento Souma, the boy that I had become quite fond of. It was one of those summer days where there wasn't much to do so I hung around the Souma residence to past the time. I was in Rento's room when the ruckus started, where I had met the young Kukai Souma. The fifth child of the family.

There were loud yelling noises coming from beneath us when I placed the magazine down and looked at the boy sprawled across the other side of the bed. He glanced up from his book and quirked his brow at me, "What is it, Nami?" He asked going back to the book. I frowned at him and opened the door to his room and slipped outside, I could definitely hear Kaidou telling someone off. I leaned across the hand rest and peered below. A small young boy was standing before a large Kaidou with angry eyes, but I could see the tears working up in them.

His shimmering green eyes that seemed so pained and hurt, it almost made me want to cry. I'm a sucker for tears actually, and most of all coming from a kid his age, it was just too cute and heartbreaking. Kukai was yelling at Kaidou about a ball or something, was it the one she saw him carry out earlier in the day?

"What the heck, nii-chan! Where's my ball?" He shouted with his small hands fisted into tiny balls at his side. His messy hair flying all over the place as he glared up at his brother. Kaidou didn't say anything at first, but finally rustled his hair and stared down at the mini child.

"You were always being loud and tossing it around at the wrong times, so I threw it out. Got a problem?" He replied brusquely with a frown of his lips. I couldn't believe Kaidou would do that to Kukai, he had to understand that he was just a kid! He wasn't old enough to understand yet, as an older brother he had to teach him that fact. He was being so immature and... and a such a guy! I wanted to rip out my hair at that point.

Kukai ran off out the door with tears streaming down his face, poor kid, he just had a fight with his older brother and Kaidou wasn't being too merciless either. I heard his steps coming up when his head popped up. Our eyes met for a second when he started for his room. I couldn't just let things fall the way they should, he shouldn't have done and said the things he did.

"That was awfully mean, you know." I stated briefly tapping my fingers on the table. I heard the door creak and Rento came out with a sleepy face. "Kukai's just a kid, treat him a little better." Kaidou once again didn't say anything, just stood there, silent. He diverted his gaze to the floor and huffed out a breath in irritation.

"He was being noisy, someone had to tell him straight out." He said curtly as he pushed open the door to his door. "Or else he wouldn't learn, even if he is a kid. The earlier the better, right?"

I turned around, "But you're the older brother, Kaidou. Kukai's only 8. He still has so much to learn, you have to be patient with little kids. I know they can be loud, rambunctious, annoying beyond hell. They complain, whine, cry, and do everything possible in their power to piss you off, but... You can't help but want to protect them. Aren't I right?" I asked with a half-smile, I cradled my arms in front of me. Even though Kaidou was stubborn and not use to being soft, there was a part of him that knew what I was talking about, I mean he was the older brother of four younger ones.

"What she's trying to say is, Kaidou. Kukai's still young, he needs you to teach him. Instead of yelling and fighting, I'm sure there are other ways that you can show him." Rento interjected with a smile. I looked over at him, he gave me a wink and I softly smiled. Even though there was a one year separation between us, I still felt close to him. He was always the one that understood the most, the one that came to help me when I needed it, always said the right things. He was my angel.

I felt his hand on mine as I wrapped my small hands against his large ones and looked up at Kaidou, "I'm sure you'll know what to do, as for now, we're going to go look for Kukai. Come, Rento." It was a warm feeling that was bubbling inside of me as we walked down the stairs, it was at times like these that I felt like I was really fallin for him. I'm glad that he understood where Kukai was coming from. Someone had to be on his side. We exited the front door and I sighed from the cool wind that settled itself in the neighborhood, summer days in Japan were almost torturous. I glanced over at Rento and he peered over at me with those same green eyes that ran in the family.

"They'll be okay, it's not like us Souma's to hold grudges." He grinned with a thumbs up, "Kukai may be a little hurt and he may be mad for the next few days, but one way or another they'll make up in no time. So don't worry so much, Nami." He said softly patting my head. I could only smile up at him and nod, I felt like I could actually believe him. "Now, there's probably only several places he might be and I think I know where to start." He observed around him, "Come on!" He laughed running off.

He was right, the first place we checked we found little Kukai sitting on the swing sets and grumbling to himself. Rento looked over at me and I sighed walking over to him, I sat on the swing next to him and started humming a small tune.

"What do you want, Nanaminee-chan?" He mumbled over the creak of the swing set. His little feet never touching the rubber like playground padding. I stretched out my feet and stopped myself to look at the sky that was dwindling itself of stars everyday.

"Ne, Kukai. Look at the sky and tell me what do you see?" I asked him softly, I heard rustling of clothes when he raised his small head and peered up at the sky.

"Stars..." He answered me. Silence followed there after when I lowered my head and stared at the ground.

"You know, your brothers are just like stars... Sometimes they can be overcrowded and sometimes they can be taking over a little too much of your space, but they're still family. You guys are all one within the sky to project a bigger picture to the universe. I might not understand what's it like being the youngest since I've been the oldest in my family, but Kaidou's still Kaidou. He's stubborn and he's not the softest guy in the world, but he loves you a lot and he cares. Think it over alright? Then come home, we're all very worried." I told him patting his hand as I stood up.

I walked over towards Rento who had his arms crossed over his chest as he heaved a sigh, "How'd it go?" He asked turning around and following me out of the park. I just smiled to myself and grinned.

"Give him a little time."

I took off and came back two weeks later for Kukai's 9th birthday, it wasn't surprising that the two made up. It was kind of cute, Kaidou had made Kukai a soccer net to practice with and he had never intentionally thrown away the ball. Told him not to play around the house anymore and that he could use the newly made net to play with. Rento just laughed at me the whole time saying he should've taken a picture of the time I was talking to Kaidou, I was so serious. I just wanted to smack him and send him flying across Tokyo that day.

The images faded and I snapped back from the reverie when Kukai grinned at me with the famous Souma smirk. "So, you do remember." He tilted his head at me, he seemed to be observing me in detail. "It's been quite a while since the last time you came by, thought you moved away to the states. When did you get back?" He questioned.

Ah, that's right. That's what I told Rento when I left him that day. When I decided that I couldn't keep coming here voluntarily, I told him I was moving to the states so I can't see him anymore. I still remember that face so clearly as if it happened just a few days ago. I tried my best to forget, but sometimes it would always come back to me in my dreams. Rento's face... All twisted up in pain. It was my fault that I had hurt him.

A numbing pain had descended upon my chest when I smiled up at Kukai. "Not too long ago. I thought it would be nice to come back for awhile." I said softly. He extended his hand out and helped me up. I hadn't realized how tall Kukai had gotten since the last time I saw him. He was huge! "Oh my, you've grown so much since the last time I saw you, Kukai!" I said in a amazement as I measured our heights. He laughed and scratched his cheek in amusement. He bent over and looked at me closely.

"It has been 5 years since you left, but it seems like you haven't aged a bit. You look almost the same except much more mature." He noted pulling at my wavy dark brown locks. He then continued to flick my forehead and laugh, I gave him a a shove.

Has it really been that long since I left? I didn't even notice, what was I trying to avoid anyways? Was it time or was it something that I had left behind from so long ago? Something I didn't want to remember because I was too scared? Everything feels different and changed. I never asked for this power.

I didn't want to dwell on such ill-feelings on our first meeting in years, so I just smiled up at him with a cheeky grin, "And where's your girlfriend, Yuiki-chan?" I asked giving him a punch on the arm. I still remember having much enjoyment in teasing Kukai about Yaya. The colors evaded his face like an army squad going to war when the giggles started erupting from my stomach.

"Wha... What! She's not my girlfriend! She's a best friend, Nanami!" He said in a flustered tone. I flapped a hand at him with a sly look on my face and laughed cruelly at him.

"Ohohohoho~ Really now. You often talked about her when we were younger, did the flames die out or something?" I taunted, I could see that he was embarrassed and started walking away. "Oh, come on. I was kidding. I know you two are good friends, I was just messing with you. Entertain me, I just got back." I pleaded with a pout as I chased after him.

We walked in a comfortable silence until we entered the city, lights were thrown awry. You couldn't even tell that it was one of those gloomy days, but the snow kept falling. I hadn't taken notice that I was shivering because I was so fascinated by the lights that I forgot until I felt something heavy being placed over my shoulders.

"The states might not be as cold as it is here in Japan, but it'll be a problem if you get sick." Kukai smiled gently tightening his jacket around me. It's just like him to help others needlessly. It certainly ran in the family.

"Always this nice to girls?" I laughed slipping my arms down the long sleeves only to notice that it was too long and my hands barely escaped at the end. "Here doing errands again? You really do suck at rock, papers, scissors." He just clicked my tongue and gave him a crooked grin.

"Nah, it's something else." We arrived in front of a business like building that I've never seen before when we both looked up at it. It stood tall against the other buildings around it. "I'm here to pick up someone. Made a promise to take her out for ice cream today, that girl wouldn't hear of it if I said no." He chuckled.

I pointed an accusatory finger at him, "Ohh, just admit it Souma, you're going to take Yaya out on a date!" I laughed making Kukai scoff at me with his lips tucked out from underneath his upper lip. "I'm sorry I interrupted you two love-birds." I continued when little tupping footsteps exited the doorway of the large gray building. We both turned our heads to see a young red-head with her hair tied in pigtails stare at us until she launched herself at Kukai and wrap her arms around his neck.

"Kukai-kun remembered!" She squealed twirling herself around him like a merry-go-around. Kukai stumbled from the dizzying motion and I stared off with a pallid face. Yaya hadn't changed at all, still the crazy energetic girl that I remembered her to be. "Ne, Kukai-kun... Who's that?" She pointed at me with her small fingers.

"It's Nanami, Yaya. Don't you remember her? She use to come over to my house a lot." He reminded her patting her small mahogany colored haired. I wouldn't have expected her to remember me much, I didn't really talk to her back then. I saw her often enough at Kukai's place, but we weren't close. Yaya Yuiki was one of the few that hadn't called on me from the other world, so there wasn't much connection. But Kukai did talk a whole lot about her.

"Oh! That pretty girl that use to be with Rentonii-san!" She said loudly. Kukai's hand suddenly flew over her mouth and laughed hesitantly. "Ku-MmmpH! Whmmphat! Heoomph!" She gurgled through his finger and glaring up at him with her sharp brown eyes, her small feet stomping the cold ground.

I saw him whisper something into her ear and she looked at me strangely before her eyes fell then perked up. I knew what Kukai was trying to do, he was trying to protect me from being hurt. He knew that saying Rento's name will probably bring back the last memory I had of him, and it wasn't very pleasantly. Except I was strong enough to handle it, it wasn't like I can't bare the sound of his name.

I shook my head at him and smiled lightly, "It's alright, Kukai-kun. I have nothing against it, it was my fault... That night. I really wanted to apologize for all the trouble I've caused." I shuffled the large jacket on me and stared at the frozen ground. The sound of the city continued to go by and the sound of people walking the sidewalks also went on in a pattern. The three of us just stood there with Yaya clinging onto Kukai and his arms around her small waist. It suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was intruding into their perfect world. Which I probably was, I didn't belong in this world to begin with.

"Ano... I'm Pepe-chan!" A small baby-like chara floated towards me with her hand outstretched. Oh god, they were tiny. I reached up and gave her my finger instead, I didn't think she'd be able to shake my whole hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Pepe-chan. I'm Motoko Nanami." I introduced myself airily when Kukai's sport's crazed chara gave me a high five and a grin just like Kukai's. Wow, these charas' do take after their owners.

"Daichi!" He said loudly at me and I gave him a small laugh before gazing back at Yaya and Kukai whom were grinning at each other. The gloomy atmosphere was gladly lifted for the time being.

"Why don't Nanami-chi come with Kukai-kun and Yaya to eat ice cream, Kukai's treating!" Yaya said happily pointing another finger at Kukai who's face suddenly fell in a groan.

I waved my hand at them, "No, it's all right... You two enjoy the day, sorry for interrupting. Oh here, the jacket." I began to slip it off when Kukai came over and stopped me.

"Keep it, you said you wanted to apologize right... Then when you're ready you can return it." He said gingerly to me before turning around and giving me a smile, "The offer for ice cream still stands, we'll be across the street if you change your mind." He waved taking Yaya's hand in his and together started disappearing into the crowd of people leaving me behind to think over the words he just said.

He didn't want me to apologize to him, he wanted me to say 'sorry' to Rento. The jacket was just an excuse to go over and meet him. Even if I did, I didn't know what I would say to him, it's been 5 years. What do you say to the person you cared about the most after disappearing for 5 years? I squeezed the edge of the jacket and bit my lower lip as thoughts began to fly across my mind. No, I wasn't going to think about this. That was the past, I can't keep holding onto those feelings. I was here to do something.

"Ah crap!" I slapped my hands on both sides of my face in horror. I had completely forgotten why I was here! I was suppose to be checking up on Ikuto! And here I was frolicking around town and wasting time instead of doing what I was suppose to, who knows how long I've been gone on the other side! "Crap! Crap! Crap!" I turned and started running the way we had come, hoping I'd still make it before night fall.