*rolls eyes*
So yes, the kids have managed to master insulting each other in sign language. :) I was secretly really surprised though. I asked each kid to stand up and sign me their name. Every. Single. Kid. Did. It. ALL OF THEM. Even the two that never do ANYTHING, that never LISTEN, that never do HOMEWORK, that always score the lowest on every test they've ever taken - they get ZEROS on spelling test grade ONES could pass. But they all did this assignment!
Happy and Hallen told me it was because this was really interesting to them. And apparently, one student (I think it was Jack, or Jemmy) who said they had a cousin or someone with hearing problems and who spoke sign language. Now, I don't know if they speak ASL or Chinese sign language, but it didn't dampen Jack's enthusiasm for trying this out on him next time they see each other.
I loved that. I don't know, it just gave me warm fuzzies. I love it when a lesson hits home with the kids and makes that kind of an impact. ^^
So they're really looking forward to the Braille sheets I have for tomorrow. :) Where does the English portion come in? They're going to write each other coded messages and decode them. ^__^
In other news, I'm willing to sell the grade 2's to the highest bidder. Does anyone want a hyperactive bunch of hyenas at a relatively low cost? They'll make good slave labor or cannon fodder. :) Or you can direct them towards an enemy and watch them swarm over them and drive them insane. Any bidders? Anyone? I'm willing to let them go cheap.
Drabbles.
Title: Kirihara Akaya
Author: Stormy1x2 ( traveling_storm )
Challenge: LJ's fanfic100
Prompts: 55 - 57
Pairings: Very, very mild hints at KiriKamio (I blame mayoki entirely), Kirihara/An and heck, even KiriSen if you squint.
Warnings: mild language
Notes: I realize I made a mistake in the roommates situation (it was actually Kajimoto and Kirihara, and Sengoku and Kamio) but oh well. Artistic license.
Kirihara's BDT located here
__________________________________________
055. Spirit
Kirihara lunged for the ball and made the return. It was a good one, enough to make Echizen curse and sprint to the opposite end of the court to get to it. Once Ryoma was in a rhythm, there weren't many people who could continue to surprise him. Akaya was absurdly proud of himself.
He knew that he was still grinning, and he made no effort to make it go away. For the first time in a very long time, he was having fun. No one was watching for errors. No one was shouting at him to hurry up, or to fix a step. There were no more shouts of dismayed horror coming from the sidelines, no coach or captains sitting with folded arms and narrowed eyes.
There was no pressure, and to be honest, Akaya couldn't remember the last time he'd played just for fun. He felt lighter somehow, like he could really leave the planet behind as he flew for a cross corner slice. Ryoma shot the ball back to him hard, and he had to tighten his grip to keep the racquet from flying out of his hand. A quick pivot, a sweeping backhand, and the rally continued.
A laugh - Kirihara did not giggle - escaped him as he set himself up for Ryoma's return, and though he knew his moment of peace wouldn't last forever, he kinda hoped it wouldn't end anytime soon.
Word Count: 236 / 16681
056. Breakfast
Kamio trudged into the dining hall, yawning widely. No matter how many years he spent getting up early for practices, he would never be a morning person. He wouldn't even be up this early - six o'clock was really pushing it when Senbatsu practices didn't technically begin until eight o'clock - but Kajimoto's alarm had gone off at five, with the Jyousei Shounan captain heading outside for his own personal training not long after. And once Kamio was up, well, he was up for the day.
Clapping his hand over another jaw-breaking yawn, he halted just inside the doorway. He wasn't the only one awake at that ungodly hour. Kirihara Akaya was seated at one of the tables, flipping through a book. A half-finished glass of apple juice sat just out of elbowing range. For a minute, Kamio debated whether or not to go in, or go back out.
Well, I did want to apologize, Kamio told himself sternly. Now seems like the perfect time. With that thought in mind, he cautiously walked over to the other boy.
“Kirihara-san?”
The Rikkai player's head snapped up defensively. A wary look came over his face. “Kamio? What do you want?”
The lack of any sort of honorific would have been an insult coming from most people, but Kirihara's baffled and suspicious expression made Kamio grin. “I was just wondering how it's possible there are two of us stupid enough to be awake at this hour.”
Kirihara snorted. “Don't you have morning practices at Fudomine?”
Kamio slid into a seat across from him. “Yes, but when I actually have the option of sleeping in, I usually try to take advantage of it. Don't you?”
“Sengoku talks in his sleep,” Kirihara said. He looked exasperated. “He asks girls out on dates and gets turned down and then blubbers about it. How the hell do you get dates when you're awake, but get turned down in your dreams?”
Kamio snickered. “I'm not sure.”
“What's your excuse?”
“Kajimoto-kun. He apparently has a schedule he sticks to religiously, which involves a very loud alarm going off promptly at 5am every morning.”
“And people say I'm sadistic?” Kirihara rolled his eyes. Then he closed his book, folded his arms on top of it, and cocked his head to the side, staring at Kamio with determination. “What?”
Kamio blinked. “What?”
“What do you want?” Akaya clarified. “You and I aren't exactly best friends. In fact, I seem to recall you threatening to kill me after I put your captain in the hospital. I realize we seem to have formed a sort of temporary peace for this camp - and because I didn't turn your little girlfriend in for making me fall down the stairs - but since when have you been up for small talk that didn't involve finding non-existent tennis camp criminals?”
Kamio scowled at him. “First of all, An is not my girlfriend. She's a friend that's a girl, but that's it. And second, I wanted to apologize to you.”
The baffled look was back on Kirihara's face. Kamio held back a snicker. “Say what?”
“I wanted to apologize,” Kamio repeated. “We - An and me, I mean - were pretty sure you were gonna target someone at this camp. We haven't exactly been thinking or saying nice things about it either. But you really have changed.” Kamio relaxed back in his seat. “That match with Ryoma was proof. You've changed, and we haven't.”
“One match doesn't mean a hell of a lot.”
“When you're the one playing? Yes, it does.” Kamio looked at him seriously. “You play to win, every time. You did this time too - but you did it without resorting to your old tactics.” He shrugged. “So, I apologize for badmouthing you. I shouldn't have done it.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with the real Kamio?” Kirihara demanded, still looking shell-shocked.
Kamio grinned and let the comment slide. “Also, I wanna play you.”
“What?”
This was actually getting to be kind of fun. It wasn't often Kamio was on the delivering end of surprises - usually he was the one being targeted for shocks. Particularly with best friends like Ishida and Sakurai. “I said, I want to play a game with you. I want to play the real Kirihara.”
Kirihara looked at him without saying anything for a long minute. Then he smirked and tilted his head to the other side. “What makes you think you're up to it?”
“I'm pretty sure I could give you a decent challenge,” Kamio returned easily. “I'm one of the fastest people you'll ever go against.”
“Too bad,” Kirihara said with a wink as he stood up. “Sometimes slowing things down can be a lot more fun. But sure, any time you're up for it.” With that he winked, and sauntered out of the cafeteria.
Kamio blinked, flushing bright red, and was suddenly very grateful that no one was there to see it. It seemed in some arenas, Kirihara still wasn't opposed to playing dirty.
Word Count: 840 / 17521
057. Lunch
Kirihara was still surprised that Kamio had sought him out to apologize to him. Not only that, but to challenge him to what appeared to be a friendly match. Not many people had ever challenged Kirihara for anything other than revenge on behalf of someone Akaya had brutalized. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
So when An plopped herself down next to him at lunch, he skittered to the edge of his seat, watching her with same wariness a field mouse watches a hawk with. “What do you want?”
“To properly apologize to you,” she said with a cheerful grin, and Kirihara groaned.
“First Kamio and now you? Have you been replaced with pod people? Are they brainwashing us one by one here or what?”
“You must watch too many bad science-fiction movies,” she told him, propping her head up with one hand. “They rot your brain and make you paranoid, you know.”
“So you Fudomine people must watch them a lot,” he shot back.
An smacked his arm lightly. “Would you shut up and accept my apology already?” Her eyes turned serious. “I mean it. You could have been badly hurt because I was being a brat.” An lowered her gaze to the table. “I didn't mean for that to happen, you know.”
“I kinda figured that,” Kirihara muttered roughly. She'd reached out to hit him, sure, but he'd been the one to step backwards instead of taking it like a man. If he'd been paying more attention to where the stairs were, nothing would have happened at all. “Anyway, whatever.”
“So you accept it?”
“Yes, fine already.” Kirihara's ears were burning. “'Sides, it's not like it hurt or anything.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I heard you were afraid of the first aid kit.”
“That's because that Seigaku brat was using acid to try and fix me up,” he said scowling. “Shut up.”
“Good.” An smiled one last time at him, and stood up. “I have to go help serve the next group coming in. Bye Kirihara-kun!”
Just as she was about to walk away, Kirihara swallowed hard, and reached out, lightly grabbing her wrist. “Why?”
“Why what?” She asked, looking down at where he gripped her arm, and then back at him.
“Why are you bein' so nice? Your brother isn't here because of me, remember?” Akaya stared at her, not completely believing that she was as pure in her intentions as she seemed.
An narrowed her eyes at him. “Trust me, that's not something I'm likely to forget,” she said coolly. “But my brother is always telling me I need to learn to let things go.” She snorted in a decidedly unladylike manner. “You know, he hasn't said one bad thing about you since it happened? The worst I think he said was to tell Fuji to be careful when he played you.” An's cheeks flushed a faint red. “I think I need to start listening to my big brother more often. He's a lot more mature than me.”
Kirihara let go of her wrist and watched her walk away. He hadn't been expecting an answer like that.
Sengoku suddenly appeared next to him. “Come on, Kirihara-kun!” he caroled. “Time to go! You can watch your little girlfriend later.”
Akaya glared at him. “She's not my girlfriend,” he snarled. “We were just talking!”
“Ah, but that's how these things start,” Sengoku said, waggling his finger. He gave a huge mock-sigh, clasping his hands next to his cheek. “Young love is such a beautiful thing to behold!”
“You...I...GRRRR!” Kirihara leaped up from the table and chased the laughing Yamabuki player out of the cafeteria, grateful for the distraction. Two apologies in one day made him nervous, and smacking Sengoku's over-sized head off a wall or two sounded like a good way to work off tension.
Word Count: 639 / 24160
I like writing An-chan. She is probably one of the only females - okay, Kagome too - that I can tolerate in most animes.
Is anyone on my flist signing up for the rikkai_shorts fic exchange? I was a part of it last year, and I'm debating about it this year. *muses*
Happy and Hallen told me it was because this was really interesting to them. And apparently, one student (I think it was Jack, or Jemmy) who said they had a cousin or someone with hearing problems and who spoke sign language. Now, I don't know if they speak ASL or Chinese sign language, but it didn't dampen Jack's enthusiasm for trying this out on him next time they see each other.
I loved that. I don't know, it just gave me warm fuzzies. I love it when a lesson hits home with the kids and makes that kind of an impact. ^^
So they're really looking forward to the Braille sheets I have for tomorrow. :) Where does the English portion come in? They're going to write each other coded messages and decode them. ^__^
In other news, I'm willing to sell the grade 2's to the highest bidder. Does anyone want a hyperactive bunch of hyenas at a relatively low cost? They'll make good slave labor or cannon fodder. :) Or you can direct them towards an enemy and watch them swarm over them and drive them insane. Any bidders? Anyone? I'm willing to let them go cheap.
Drabbles.
Title: Kirihara Akaya
Author: Stormy1x2 ( traveling_storm )
Challenge: LJ's fanfic100
Prompts: 55 - 57
Pairings: Very, very mild hints at KiriKamio (I blame mayoki entirely), Kirihara/An and heck, even KiriSen if you squint.
Warnings: mild language
Notes: I realize I made a mistake in the roommates situation (it was actually Kajimoto and Kirihara, and Sengoku and Kamio) but oh well. Artistic license.
Kirihara's BDT located here
__________________________________________
055. Spirit
Kirihara lunged for the ball and made the return. It was a good one, enough to make Echizen curse and sprint to the opposite end of the court to get to it. Once Ryoma was in a rhythm, there weren't many people who could continue to surprise him. Akaya was absurdly proud of himself.
He knew that he was still grinning, and he made no effort to make it go away. For the first time in a very long time, he was having fun. No one was watching for errors. No one was shouting at him to hurry up, or to fix a step. There were no more shouts of dismayed horror coming from the sidelines, no coach or captains sitting with folded arms and narrowed eyes.
There was no pressure, and to be honest, Akaya couldn't remember the last time he'd played just for fun. He felt lighter somehow, like he could really leave the planet behind as he flew for a cross corner slice. Ryoma shot the ball back to him hard, and he had to tighten his grip to keep the racquet from flying out of his hand. A quick pivot, a sweeping backhand, and the rally continued.
A laugh - Kirihara did not giggle - escaped him as he set himself up for Ryoma's return, and though he knew his moment of peace wouldn't last forever, he kinda hoped it wouldn't end anytime soon.
Word Count: 236 / 16681
056. Breakfast
Kamio trudged into the dining hall, yawning widely. No matter how many years he spent getting up early for practices, he would never be a morning person. He wouldn't even be up this early - six o'clock was really pushing it when Senbatsu practices didn't technically begin until eight o'clock - but Kajimoto's alarm had gone off at five, with the Jyousei Shounan captain heading outside for his own personal training not long after. And once Kamio was up, well, he was up for the day.
Clapping his hand over another jaw-breaking yawn, he halted just inside the doorway. He wasn't the only one awake at that ungodly hour. Kirihara Akaya was seated at one of the tables, flipping through a book. A half-finished glass of apple juice sat just out of elbowing range. For a minute, Kamio debated whether or not to go in, or go back out.
Well, I did want to apologize, Kamio told himself sternly. Now seems like the perfect time. With that thought in mind, he cautiously walked over to the other boy.
“Kirihara-san?”
The Rikkai player's head snapped up defensively. A wary look came over his face. “Kamio? What do you want?”
The lack of any sort of honorific would have been an insult coming from most people, but Kirihara's baffled and suspicious expression made Kamio grin. “I was just wondering how it's possible there are two of us stupid enough to be awake at this hour.”
Kirihara snorted. “Don't you have morning practices at Fudomine?”
Kamio slid into a seat across from him. “Yes, but when I actually have the option of sleeping in, I usually try to take advantage of it. Don't you?”
“Sengoku talks in his sleep,” Kirihara said. He looked exasperated. “He asks girls out on dates and gets turned down and then blubbers about it. How the hell do you get dates when you're awake, but get turned down in your dreams?”
Kamio snickered. “I'm not sure.”
“What's your excuse?”
“Kajimoto-kun. He apparently has a schedule he sticks to religiously, which involves a very loud alarm going off promptly at 5am every morning.”
“And people say I'm sadistic?” Kirihara rolled his eyes. Then he closed his book, folded his arms on top of it, and cocked his head to the side, staring at Kamio with determination. “What?”
Kamio blinked. “What?”
“What do you want?” Akaya clarified. “You and I aren't exactly best friends. In fact, I seem to recall you threatening to kill me after I put your captain in the hospital. I realize we seem to have formed a sort of temporary peace for this camp - and because I didn't turn your little girlfriend in for making me fall down the stairs - but since when have you been up for small talk that didn't involve finding non-existent tennis camp criminals?”
Kamio scowled at him. “First of all, An is not my girlfriend. She's a friend that's a girl, but that's it. And second, I wanted to apologize to you.”
The baffled look was back on Kirihara's face. Kamio held back a snicker. “Say what?”
“I wanted to apologize,” Kamio repeated. “We - An and me, I mean - were pretty sure you were gonna target someone at this camp. We haven't exactly been thinking or saying nice things about it either. But you really have changed.” Kamio relaxed back in his seat. “That match with Ryoma was proof. You've changed, and we haven't.”
“One match doesn't mean a hell of a lot.”
“When you're the one playing? Yes, it does.” Kamio looked at him seriously. “You play to win, every time. You did this time too - but you did it without resorting to your old tactics.” He shrugged. “So, I apologize for badmouthing you. I shouldn't have done it.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with the real Kamio?” Kirihara demanded, still looking shell-shocked.
Kamio grinned and let the comment slide. “Also, I wanna play you.”
“What?”
This was actually getting to be kind of fun. It wasn't often Kamio was on the delivering end of surprises - usually he was the one being targeted for shocks. Particularly with best friends like Ishida and Sakurai. “I said, I want to play a game with you. I want to play the real Kirihara.”
Kirihara looked at him without saying anything for a long minute. Then he smirked and tilted his head to the other side. “What makes you think you're up to it?”
“I'm pretty sure I could give you a decent challenge,” Kamio returned easily. “I'm one of the fastest people you'll ever go against.”
“Too bad,” Kirihara said with a wink as he stood up. “Sometimes slowing things down can be a lot more fun. But sure, any time you're up for it.” With that he winked, and sauntered out of the cafeteria.
Kamio blinked, flushing bright red, and was suddenly very grateful that no one was there to see it. It seemed in some arenas, Kirihara still wasn't opposed to playing dirty.
Word Count: 840 / 17521
057. Lunch
Kirihara was still surprised that Kamio had sought him out to apologize to him. Not only that, but to challenge him to what appeared to be a friendly match. Not many people had ever challenged Kirihara for anything other than revenge on behalf of someone Akaya had brutalized. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
So when An plopped herself down next to him at lunch, he skittered to the edge of his seat, watching her with same wariness a field mouse watches a hawk with. “What do you want?”
“To properly apologize to you,” she said with a cheerful grin, and Kirihara groaned.
“First Kamio and now you? Have you been replaced with pod people? Are they brainwashing us one by one here or what?”
“You must watch too many bad science-fiction movies,” she told him, propping her head up with one hand. “They rot your brain and make you paranoid, you know.”
“So you Fudomine people must watch them a lot,” he shot back.
An smacked his arm lightly. “Would you shut up and accept my apology already?” Her eyes turned serious. “I mean it. You could have been badly hurt because I was being a brat.” An lowered her gaze to the table. “I didn't mean for that to happen, you know.”
“I kinda figured that,” Kirihara muttered roughly. She'd reached out to hit him, sure, but he'd been the one to step backwards instead of taking it like a man. If he'd been paying more attention to where the stairs were, nothing would have happened at all. “Anyway, whatever.”
“So you accept it?”
“Yes, fine already.” Kirihara's ears were burning. “'Sides, it's not like it hurt or anything.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I heard you were afraid of the first aid kit.”
“That's because that Seigaku brat was using acid to try and fix me up,” he said scowling. “Shut up.”
“Good.” An smiled one last time at him, and stood up. “I have to go help serve the next group coming in. Bye Kirihara-kun!”
Just as she was about to walk away, Kirihara swallowed hard, and reached out, lightly grabbing her wrist. “Why?”
“Why what?” She asked, looking down at where he gripped her arm, and then back at him.
“Why are you bein' so nice? Your brother isn't here because of me, remember?” Akaya stared at her, not completely believing that she was as pure in her intentions as she seemed.
An narrowed her eyes at him. “Trust me, that's not something I'm likely to forget,” she said coolly. “But my brother is always telling me I need to learn to let things go.” She snorted in a decidedly unladylike manner. “You know, he hasn't said one bad thing about you since it happened? The worst I think he said was to tell Fuji to be careful when he played you.” An's cheeks flushed a faint red. “I think I need to start listening to my big brother more often. He's a lot more mature than me.”
Kirihara let go of her wrist and watched her walk away. He hadn't been expecting an answer like that.
Sengoku suddenly appeared next to him. “Come on, Kirihara-kun!” he caroled. “Time to go! You can watch your little girlfriend later.”
Akaya glared at him. “She's not my girlfriend,” he snarled. “We were just talking!”
“Ah, but that's how these things start,” Sengoku said, waggling his finger. He gave a huge mock-sigh, clasping his hands next to his cheek. “Young love is such a beautiful thing to behold!”
“You...I...GRRRR!” Kirihara leaped up from the table and chased the laughing Yamabuki player out of the cafeteria, grateful for the distraction. Two apologies in one day made him nervous, and smacking Sengoku's over-sized head off a wall or two sounded like a good way to work off tension.
Word Count: 639 / 24160
I like writing An-chan. She is probably one of the only females - okay, Kagome too - that I can tolerate in most animes.
Is anyone on my flist signing up for the rikkai_shorts fic exchange? I was a part of it last year, and I'm debating about it this year. *muses*