Shadows of Revenge Ch. 3
By Eliad Sholomovich

** Three months after chap 2 **

Ibuki was sitting beside her desk at home and writing swiftly upon a piece of paper. She was wearing a set of casual clothes.

Her attire consisted of a pair of long black trousers and a loose blue t-shirt. Her hair was tied into a single long braid which reached the middle of her back.

On her desk lay a large glass of tea, vapors of heat escaped the liquid and mixed with the cold night's air. The cup was placed on a small plate a foots distance from Ibuki.

She yawned and covered her mouth,Then she stretched her arms and waved her aching hand.

"Finally done...another 24 page assignment hits the dust...I Gotta take longer breaks between doing these blasted assignments...My hand can't take this anymore..." Ibuki thought and dropped her pencil on the table.

Then she took a sip of her tea and brushed aside some strands of her hair which lay before her eyes. She looked at the papers which lay on the table before her, They were stacked up in a large a pile and beside them lay a few open books from which Ibuki took the info for the Biology assignment she had just finished.

Then Her PC speakers emitted a short ring. Ibuki's head snapped sideways and she focused her vision to the screen.

She scanned the screen and saw a small window appear on the bottom of the screen informed her that she had just recieved an Email from Sarai.

She scrolled her Mouse cursor and opened it. The messege popped up on her moniter. She skimmed through it quickly and smiled.

"Great...I love hangin out with Sarai and Saky, sides I've been working all day, time to have some fun..." Ibuki thought and smiled to herself.

She closed the email window and then turned her PC off. She reached for a drawer and took out a folder. She quickly arranged her Papers neatly into the folder and then placed it on her table.

Then she got out of her chair and dashed downstairs. She ran down the stairs and passed by her mom "I've finished HW mom. Gonna go hang out with Sarai and Sakura now" Ibuki said quickly and reached the door and grabbed the knob.

But Her mom put her hand on Ibuki's shoulder before she managed to open the door "Oh no you don't,come here Ibuki" Her mom said sternly.

Ibuki sighed and rolled her eyes "What?" She asked her tone full of annoyance.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Her mom said coldly while raising a brow.

Ibuki inhaled through clenched teeth "But...But...Moooom...That coat's like a..." Ibuki tried.

Then Her mom gave her the "Don't agrue with me" Look and Ibuki sighed in defeat.

Her mom smiled and Ibuki took a dusty old coat off the hanger. She wore it and sulked as she walked out of the door.

It was old and outdated.Ibuki hated the coat as it had constantly made her the laughing stock of the entire school.

And ever since the arguement with Karin, the blond brat had done everything she could to make Ibuki's life miserable.

She would throw snide remarks at Ibuki and, use her popularity to make people avoid Ibuki.

Yet Ibuki was above the brat's childish behavior since her previous adventure during the summer had taught her the importance of self control.

So she managed to ignore the constant remarks and stuck to her real friends which consisted of Sarai and Sakura nowadays.

Ibuki was walking down the dark and shadowy streets. The night's air was cold and windy, yet it didn't bother Ibuki. She was trained to withstand such temperatures and found no discomfort in a little wind and the lack of heat.

A gust of wind embraced Ibuki in its cold touch, yet the adscolent kept on going. She looked forward and only squinted her eyes slightly as she walked against the wind.

She walked through the streets and continued marching towards Sarai's house.

Her hands were in the pockets of her jacket.

"I know mom means well...But she doesn't understand what wearing such an old and battered up coat does to ones image..." Ibuki thought.

A few minutes later she heard footsteps echoing through the empty and silent streets.

She turned to the source of the footsteps which came from her left.

She saw a figure walking on the opposite road. She squinted her eyes and after a few seconds she recognized the figure as Jason.

She snarled under her breath and was about to continue on her way when suddenly he tripped over a rock and flew forward.

He crashed into a nearby car's hood with his outstretched hands.A audible boom was heard.

Jason then used the hood for leverage and recomposed himself quickly,then he continued walking as if nothing had just happened.

Ibuki was curious and she crossed the road after Jason was out of sight. "That should of hurt...What's up with this guy?" Ibuki thought as she crossed the road carefully.

She looked at the car's hood and her jaw fell as her eyes widened in surprise at what she saw.

"Holy mother of...either this car was dented before or Jason's one really strong man..." Ibuki thought as she saw that the entire front hood was dented.

Ibuki rubbed her chin "This is very interesting indeed...But still despite this suspicion I can't judge him without proper evidence, these subtle hints are suspicious but not concretive enough to make a solid decision and take action. Ibuki thought and then passed her hand on the cold metal.

Sensai always says to first evaluate the situation from every angle and only then take action to avoid making mistakes..." Ibuki thought and rubbed her fingers, the paint of the hood stuck to her fingers.

Ibuki then sighed and continued walking towards Sarai's house while looking downwards.

This isn't fair...Even if I do prove to myself that Jason isn't trustworthy...Mom'll never listen...she's too blinded by his charm.Ibuki thought and shook her head

** Noon The following day **

Ibuki was sitting in front of a table in her high school's cafeteria. She was accompanied by Sakura and Sarai.

The three sat alone and ignored the whispering and glares people shot them.

They didn't mind and ate their lunch while talking and laughing.

Then a blond adoscolent in a red dress entered the cafeteria. She smirked as she saw the three sitting together and walked up to them.

Hey look! If it isn't the dweeb crew! Sarai, Tomboy and Nerd girl" Karin said and the cafeteria ooed and chuckled at the snide remarks.

Ibuki and Sarai continued eating their lunchs and ignored it, But Sakura snarled and glared at Karin.

"What's wrong cat catch your tongue girls?" Karin said snobbishly.

Ibuki swallowed a bite of her sandwich "Will ya leave us alone Karin, why don't you go sniff a tree or chase a cat" Ibuki said.

The cafeteria burst into audible laughter at the remark until Karin turned red and slammed her fist into her open palm.

"Sorry,but I can't copy your habits B*tch!" Karin said angrily.

"Wow! where'd you get that one, off a Bazooka joe wrapper?" Sakura retorted and Karin's eyes narrowed to two small slits full of cold rage.

"Atleast my dad's employed and at home, where's your dad Ibuki? abandoned you cause of the smell?" Karin asked.

Sarai gulped and Ibuki's Jaw tensed at the remark. If a look could kill Karin would've been 10 feet under.

YetIbuki only glared at her for a while and then sighed and continued eating, the cafeteria went silent again.

Karin had a smug smile on her face "Chicken..." Karin said and chuckled to herself.

Sarai put a hand on Ibuki's shoulder and Sakura shot Karin a look which signaled her to scramb. but the arrogent youth remained standing there.

"Now really...Why'd he leave? You're lowlife mom wasn't good enough for him?" Karin asked aiming at a known weak spot in Ibuki's character.

The entire cafeteria went silent and glanced nervously at the table to see what would transpire next.

Ibuki was usually a calm girl, and was seldomly out of control but Karin had just crossed some lines which sane people don't even get near.

Ibuki's eyes shone with such cold fury that Karin was taken aback.

Ibuki slammed her fist against the wooden table and cracks formed where her fist connected with the surface.

"You...Me...Park...after school. We'll see if you can back your smart*ss words with your fists you snobbish, no good, half witted b*tch" Ibuki said and then rose to her feet.

She passed by Karin and collided with her shoulder. this sent Karin off balance and straight into a nearby table due to the force behind the collision.

Karin fell into several lunches and her clothes were now decorated by a variety of colorful stains from various food products.

"Stupid Piece of...F***in lil...Sensai says not to give into anger...But this time its for honor, and I'll teach that snobbish brat to shut the f*** up..." Ibuki thought and walked towards the exit while muttering to herself angrily.

Then Ibuki stormed out of the cafeteria while it erupted into wild laughter at Karin's appearence.

Sakura and Sarai followed Ibuki. Karin wiped some gravey out of her hair and grimaced.

"Heh, this time I'll show that stupid Ibuki that nobody crosses Karin Kanzuki..." Karin thought.