Nocens High

Ningyō

Aurelia had no idea how she found herself in this predicament. The bell to first period hasn't even rung yet and she already found herself surrounded by trouble. Fangirls. Aurelia was backed up to a wall surrounded by them.

"We overheard Jason's now in your gang," said one of them.

"Just because he's agreed to be with you doesn't mean he likes you okay!" stated another.

"Don't get the wrong idea."

Aurelia sighed. She was getting tired of this. No. She was agitated. In fact, she really had the urge to punch them in the face. She clenched her fists.

As she was about to deliver the bow, all 12 girls collapse. Aurelia stared in shock. She swore she hadn't done anything. She walked to one of the casualties and inspected her. On the side of the girl's leg, Aurelia pulled out a thin long needle. She saw it was coated in a liquid substance. She found many other similar needles on all the other girls.

"You seemed like you needed help," said a monotone voice. Aurelia looked up to the direction of the voice. A beautiful Japanese girl gracefully jumped off the tree she was perched on with her umbrella fanned out.

"Don't worry I just sedated them. They won't die," said the girl, landing next to Aurelia. She wore a kimono jacket over her school uniform and her dark hair was elegantly put up into a bun with two needles through them. The kimono was black with numerous purple butterflies lining the bottom, big and small. She shut her umbrella. The girl was beautiful in a charming sort of way. The umbrella itself added to her charm. It was a paper umbrella with sakura petals scattering the red into a swirl. She stood poised and elegant, her eyes sharp, looking at Aurelia. She literally looked like a human sized Japanese doll. She looked like a ningyō.

"Thank you," smiled Aurelia. The Asian beauty bowed. "You're welcome," she said. She straightened up, fanned out her umbrella and walked back.

She turned her head to Aurelia. "My name is Ivy Kawaguchi."

"Aurelia Bennet."

***

"The Poison Ivy has done it again," muttered a delinquent. A large crowd had gathered around the Moscow Rebels. Well a half dead Moscow Rebels. The members looked like porcupines due to the numerous needles protruding out of their skin.

"I wonder what the Moscow Rebels did?"

"Probably tried to look up her skirt." snickered a guy.

"Well they deserved it," yelled a Scarlet Blossom Gang member.

Aurelia took an interest to the chattering crowd. "Hey Max, who's this Poison Ivy?" asked Aurelia, tugging on Max's sleeve.

"Poison Ivy is another loner in the school," explained Max. Aurelia restrained her laugh. Max continued, "She is in the grade below us and is also know as the Poisonous Ningyō. She's also the future leader of one of Japan's strongest yakuzas. She usually wears a kimono and carries around a paper umbrella."

Aurelia rubbed her chin. Maybe she should ask Poisin Ivy to join the gang.

***

Aurelia knocked on the grade ten's classroom door. It opened. All the grade tens stared at her. 'Hello, is Ivy Kawaguchi in your class?" she asked.

"Yes, what do you want?" Aurelia jumped back. She looked back and there was Ivy Kawaguchi. Aurelia swore she always popped out of nowhere. "Would you like to take a stroll with me after school?," smiled Aurelia. Ivy stared at her for a bit.

"Okay," agreed Ivy. Aurelia grinned.

***

Aurelia waited beside the graffiti covered walls outside the school. Awaiting the arrival of the Poisonous Ningyō. She had told Jason she was going to be back home late today. He had replied with a shrug and walked off. Aurelia clenched her fists at the memory in annoyance.

"I'm here." Aurelia jumped back. She really needed to stop doing that. She looked down, and there was Ivy resting her umbrella on her shoulders. Aurelia smiled. Ivy's face stayed impassive. They started to walk.

"So why did you want to take a walk with me?" asked Ivy.

"Oh no reason," said Aurelia, a smirk forming on her lips. Ivy stared at her, suspicion rising. They kept walking and walking. Ivy started to notice a change to her surroundings. The streets gradually became filthier, filled with the scent of smoke. Resting against the wall were rugged looking people, some smoking their cigarettes, others staring intently at the moving forms of Ivy and Aurelia. "Where are we going?" asked Ivy, eyes looking questionably into the back of Aurelia. Aurelia stopped.

"You know these slums are one of the most dangerous ones near the school. Anybody here will immediately attack if an outsider came in," replied Aurelia, suddenly she jumped back as a man went hurtling at her. All the thugs surrounded the two girls. Aurelia went to kick two delinquents in the head. "Well what are you standing there for? Help me fight!" said Aurelia, knocking out another with her fists.

Ivy swung her umbrella off her shoulders. A slight wind blew from the swing. "I don't know what's going on, but I know one thing. Death to all the people in my way," she said. She shut her umbrella and elegantly leapt outside the circle of thugs.

"50 needles of death," whispered Ivy. She opened the umbrella and like the name of the attack, 50 needles flew out from it, stabbing into the crowd. One by one they fell. The thugs had no time to react. They didn't even know when she went behind them. The only one left standing was Aurelia. Ivy closed her umbrella.

"No wonder they call you Poison Ivy," smiled Aurelia, slowly clapping at the brilliant show Ivy gave her. Yes. She was definitely letting her in the gang.

"You're the next successor of the Shadow Reapers right?" inquired Ivy, staring intently at Aurelia.

Aurelia tensed. She stopped clapping. Her eyes turned serious. "How did you know?" she asked.

"I did a little research on you. The yakuza in Japan is quite interested in the mafias and the performance you did yesterday with Jason reconfirmed my suspicions," explained Ivy.

"So you saw," stated Aurelia. Tension grew between the two girls. They stared sharply at one another.

Ivy bent down.

"Please let me join the H.E.L.P Gang," pleaded Ivy bowing in respect at Aurelia. Said girl blinked in confusion.

"Actually the reason I helped you and agreed to go with you after school was to ask this. I've been a big fan of the Light Reapers mafia and I want to be part of your gang and fight with you!" Ivy said, looking up at Aurelia, eyes filled with admiration.

Aurelia laughed, "I was going to request the same thing!"

"So then?" Ivy's eyes light up with hope.

"Your in!" exclaimed Aurelia.

A smile bloomed on the little Japanese girl's face. Aurelia was a little taken back by the smile. It was the first time she saw one on the little tenth grader. It was cute.

"I'll be in you care" she bowed.