He came from the East... (BK)

[junpei]

The wheels on the massive 747 jet airliner set down at SFO, San Francisco International Airport if you want the long version. The airplane slowly taxied its way to the gangway and set against it with a masterful precision only a pilot of 20 years could do, and that’s exactly how long Captain Peter Smith had been flying planes of this size. He stayed strapped in for a few moments as final system checks were made as the immense hunk of machinery was shut down to be refueled and cleaned. Finally finishing up his last few checks he un-strapped and looked over to his rookie co-pilot, this was the trade off flight. Smith was leaving and the rookie was taking over.

In the first class section of the plane a black trench coat clad 18 year old slung a duffle bag over his shoulder. He grabbed his backpack from an overhead compartment and grabbed his messenger bag. He turned his head as the flight attendant announced that they were free to leave. The brown haired teenager turned and made his way out, accidentally knocking a fellow passenger in the side with his bag. He quickly made his way past the cabin where he saw the captain and co-pilot were talking, to low to hear. He brushed by and continued off the plane.

He exited and made his way towards the exit of the terminal, he had all his bags with him, thank god for two carry ons. His laptop bag had traveled in his backpack, flattened with the laptop inside. He was half way there when he got a call. He opened up his Razor and checked the number, Tak. He flipped the phone back down and walked outside, he was no longer in Varron; he was in a new home, at least for a while.

He sat down at a bus terminal and waited; it would be here soon and would take him in city to find the dorms he was assigned to now. He raised his dull grey eyes and leaned his head back, staring at cloudy skies, not the best reception in the world. His head fell forward as the bus came to this pick up and Junpei pulled out a dollar, yay for mass transit.

Slipping the single dollar bill into the machine that not only took bus cards but money he yawned slightly and sat down on a seat near the back, where it was empty. Seems he was the first pick-up. A few more stops and they were on their way into the city, with a total of 14 people on the bus, including the brown haired, grey eyed, adolescent.

One hour and five stops later had the teen walking off the bus and onto the streets of San Francisco. He looked around and sighed heavily, this was the beginning of a new life, in a way. He let his eyes travel from the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance to the massive high rise buildings around him, time to go find home. Junpei Taltos turned and headed for the bridge.

[bk]

Whistling. It had been years since he last had seen her. And she would finally come today and visit them for a brief time. He had clearly missed to be around her, and the eagerness in his eyes could easily be spotted. Even by a blind beggar. She hadn't been on the last bus as supposed, but it was normal to get a bus late. Especially if you weren't familiar with the place. So he waited until the next bus would come and drop her off. Large bus. No sister stepping out. Only some random people. He shook his head. At the same time he saw another young fellow leave the bus. Older than him, yet still a young fellow. He had his eyes upon him for some seconds before turning back to the bus, hoping someone would come after. She had to be on this bus! No one could be stupid enough to not get on the bus. He had been standing there for a little over an hour now. The eagerness was replaced with a light depressed state of mind. He had to walk home then. No use standing around there until night.

He looked up at the back of the young fellow and decided that he might as well talk to someone on the way back, only when he got a little closer did he notice the ‘Hircine High’ patch on his backpack. He picked up the pace and quickly caught up to the other guy. His large and massive frame easily, like he did with the rest on his grade. He was unnatural high for his age. He slowed down next to the other one. Undoubtedly something he would notice.

“Hey, nice to see a face from Hircine High… Spend Christmas on something nice? I am William, call me Bill or BK… And you are?”

His face was turning towards the other all the time talking, not wanting to seem rude. He shoved both hands into the pockets and took a glance up at the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a magnificent sight, but he had grown used to it in time. His face turned back to the other, he had never seen him inside the halls. Then again, there were 2000 students. A bit hard to remember them all.

[junpei]

His hair blew softly in the afternoon breeze, his jacket ruffled a bit and he quickly stuffed both hands away, hoping to escape the biting cold that seemed to follow him everywhere these days. Maybe it was himself that had become colder, maybe it was moving far away from not only home but his previous life… either way it was to damn cold here. He wasn’t three steps off the bus when someone made a rather loud thump sound behind him. He shifted slightly and peered over his shoulder, there was a man easily 6’6” and 220 pounds, most likely more. Junpei paid his little heed and started off, he had to get to the academy dorms and register so he could be ‘here’ on paper and in the flesh.

He took another half dozen steps when the large kid caught up with Junpei. Junpei could only glance over as the kid began to talk, he had completely forgotten about the Hircine High patch that he had pinned to his backpack when he received it. He was about to complain when the kid introduced himself as Will, or Bill, or BK, whichever. Junpei nodded and leaned his head back a bit, looking at the bridge once more.

“New.”

Junpei said flatly as he began to cross a street. Halfway across he continued, his eyes never leaving the bridge and his destination.

“Transfer student, Junpei, pleasure.”

He said as he stuck out his right hand for a shake, not stopping but knowing the guy could obviously do two things at once. He was curious now though, if this kid went to Hircine did he know of the impending flux of transfers from Varron? If so he might turn hostile towards Junpei and he was in no mood for a fight with anyone, let alone someone this big.

[bk]

It took a second or two for the word new to have any meaning inside his head. He looked for any vile cars before following the kid, his larger steps making it considerably easier to catch up to him. Transfer student. That wasn't something new, and just made the conversation a bit more interesting. He shook hands with the smaller guy. He was wearing his knuckle gloves. They were nice and warm, and handy if some thug came too close. His size usually scared those away though. He let go of his hand.

"Glad to meet ya Junpei. A transfer. Let me bid you welcome as a Hircine student. So, from where did ya get trrransferred?”

William didn’t even notice the longer r in the last word he had spoken. He had just been reminded of the glory state their school were going through. He had been in one or two fights during his first year, and that was unusual for someone like him. He guessed the other one wasn’t one of many words. Or at least not around strangers. He would just have to chase that shyness away. He shoved his hands into the pockets and looked around. He was too familiar with this part of the city, been his home for a little over a year now. So, his gaze turned back to Junpei. Everything else had no interest for him.

[junpei]

An extra r in his words? Maybe it was an accent of some sort, was that how all native San Franciscans talked… was San Franciscans a word? Whatever it didn’t matter, what did matter was that this guy was asking about where he came from. He would probably have heard of the infamous Varron Academy. The school that fell apart at the seems because its own students ripped it apart… would he turn on Junpei now? Maybe, and once again the idea of fighting wasn’t high on his list.

“Varron Academy, back in New York State.”

He said quickly. He hoped the guy didn’t hear of it, although that was almost impossible. Having the feds involved made it impossible actually. It was all over the media, most calling it a massive gang war. Bull, Junpei had been there, it was organized chaos is what it was. Feds, gangs, The Edge, all of it tied together to make one giant war. Kvist was a fool; he had done this, bastard. Junpei marked off another reason in his mind to punch that kid in the face when he saw him.

“Just got into town actually, mind showing me where everything is?”

He said looking over at the larger teen. Seemed the kid was knowledgeable in the city, or seemed that way since he wasn’t watching every little detail like Junpei was trying to do. The faster he got to know this city the better, actually the faster he got to the academy the better. If he moved quickly he’d beat the rest of Varron there. Maybe slip in and make friends before the rest of Varron arrived. Maybe avoid the crap hitting the preverbal fan. Oh yes and maybe avoid being detected by whatever this school called ‘elites’.

[bk]

Varron Academy. He had never heard about that stupid place. He knew where Varron City were, and where the state was located. But that was about it, he knew little else, maybe heard some rumours about it being a rotten city. If those rumours where true, then he could only accept anyone coming from there with open arms. Especially the ladies. Though something about the speed he had said it in, told BK to stay out of that matter. And he wasn't there to interrogate the poor kid so he let it slide. He would get the story at some point. Hopefully. When he were done speaking, William nodded and took his new job serious. After all. It was hell getting lost in a city.

He felt quite comfortable with the other guy, so he wouldn't mind talking for some time, explaining the places and some small stuff, if they had the time. So for now, he should keep to the basics. He just new he would make some sort of side trip, or a hundred.

“Well, straight ahead of here is the Golden Gate Bridge. Just right, on this side of the rrriver lies Hircine High. Over there somewhere. Ya can’t miss it once you get closer, the water is excellent during the summer.” He pointed in the general direction of the place. “Oh, and the dorrms lie in the same direction, in case you are going to live there. There’s a mall somewhere to our left - I don’t know what else ya would like to know about. Ask about some place and I can give you a rough direction for - oh, and there’s a skater park just over there, in case ya are in to that…”

He stopped talking. And continued the walk. They were getting closer and closer to the big red bridge. Soon BK would have to make a turn to get down to his home, but if Junpei stayed at the dorms, then he would have to go in the same direction. Unless he didn’t like the company.

“Oh, and it is a big city, you will get the hang of it in time. Just wait ‘til you see the school…”

[junpei]

"Saw it, from the air actually. Had to bank from the North to come in, big enough to be visible at 30,000 feet."

Junpei yawned softly and contemplated everything the new 'friend' had said. So the Golden Gate was dead ahead, a mall somewhere to their left, and the dorms dead ahead as well, well basically. He let out a low hum, his form of a pondering thought, and hefted up his duffle bag a bit more.

Ah yes his duffle bag; clothes, cash, personal effects, and even a few pieces of paperwork. In the backpack were more clothes, his laptop and messenger bag, all his art supplies and a few sketch pads. Basically once Junpei was moved in he’d be set. No need to spend cash on cloths or anything new. In addition in his pockets resided 314 dollars in small bills, his razor T-mobile phone, his wristband, which simply said w00t, and some loose change. On his left wrist sat an Armitron wrist watch, black with a square face plate and Roman numeral numbers.

His Razor made a vibration and he flipped it out and open. He read the text and frowned, then typed something back rather fast. The cover was a custom designed dragon template, etched into the surface of the phone by Junpei himself. The phone itself was a soft smoke grey, while the etching was light silver, shiny and beautiful. It showed off a Chinese dragon, his design of choice.

“Sorry, family checking in on me.”

Junpei smiled a bit and flipped the phone closed then put it away. He wasn’t one to show off, and he didn’t like to. The phone had been a gift before he left, the laptop a gift as well. Junpei really only paid for clothes, food, and home. When in the end was gonna make him broke within three months if he didn’t find a job.

“So what do you people do for fun around here?”

[bk]

Nice cellphone he had there, BK could only wish he had one as fancy himself. Then again, he was quite comfortable with his own, it was able to send texts and call people, and recieve both, of course, so he didn't need it to be able to do anything else. He shrugged when Junpei apologised, it didn't matter one bit, after all, the boy had just come across the country, of course he should be allowed a moment with his family.

"We go to school... We all find pleasure in doing homework and asking for more in case we feel we didn't get enough. And when not doing homework or going to school, we practise grammar and stuff and each others houses..." He let some seconds pass before he continued. "Just kiding. Well, we are up for a variety of stuff. Around the school ya can train plenty of different sports. There are the mountains and cliffs that are fun to climb. Mostly, you hang out with the friends and hit the arcades. And in case you like chess or something, try at the school, they will have a team for you... So, any expectations for the new place? And don't worry about school, the others are friendly. The captain and his pillars really cleaned up the place."

He shivered a little and looked up into the sky, wondering just why it had to be so cold around christmas time. Couldn't they put it at some warm date where they can be outside and spend it there. Or new years eve, it was usually too cold to be outside on those days.

[junpei]

Junpei was about to question all of Hircine's sanity when the kid suddenly said it was a joke. That was a very smart move on his part, cause if that was all that happened here then he was turning and heading back to Varron, school be damned. However if the rest of school responded as warmly as BK here had then maybe... maybe he'd be able to finish out the year strong and uneventful. That would be nice, to for once not look over your back for an impending attack whenever one MIGHT come.

"I see, well then I guess I'll have no trouble fitting in now will I?"

He turned and flashed a smile at the larger kid and yawned softly, flights took a lot out of him, especially going BACK three hours. He left Varron about 5, it was 5:30 now, just great it was supposed to be 830 and here he was, this was a pain in the ass. He'd have to adjust not only to the new time zone but to a new way of life, all in a matter of days.

"So you guys have a Pillar and Captain system then... interesting. Back at Varron it was all about who had power, everyone there, well the big shots, they all fought for power constantly. We didn't have a Captain last year, to much in school bickering for that."

Junpei felt them start to move downhill, guessed they were getting closer, and promptly raised his head back up to look down the street. Sure enough they were going downhill toward the bridge, and in the distance a large clock tower could be seen, almost 8 stories in the air about.

"What's the clock tower for?"

[bk]

No captain? How could a school manage without a captain to look over it? Must have been tough as hell managing the peace when there was no defined person to take responsibility. He couldn't even think how that would work, considering how used he were to following Darren and his pillars as the leaders of the student body. He even had some respect for the poor fellows who had to spend day in day out looking after the school. BK had survived getting into only a couple of fights last year, the pillars must have a far worse score then that. He took a deep breath and looked at the clock tower Junpei mentioned at the same time. He looked at it for a couple of seconds. He should probably get home soon, after all, what couldn't happen to a small kid like him during the late hours? Late and late, 5.30 ... He should probably be fine for some more hours, where the really dangerous policemen came out and patrolled the streets. It was a nice neighbourhood with barely any trouble and a small kid on 5 could play outside 'til the late hours.

"For people to see what time it is..." He said, short of mind to what Junpei really had meant with the question. When he realized he smirked and blushed a small bit. "Oh, ehm, it is a part of Hircine High... Your first view of the school? Oh, and how did the students keep the peace without a captain and why were there no captain?" He was filled with questions to the other. He hadn't heard of a captain less school before. Was this the reason for Junpei to changing school? The violence had gotten too much and he had decided to seek a new school?

There would be no better place than Hircine High if you sought peace and quiet. BK loved that, he didn't like to fight people, it felt wrong, especially when he underestimated his own strength and left a poor kid smashed and broken. But at other times it brought friends, despite how odd it sounded. That was how he had met Akira - he snapped out of the small reminder of what fighting brought with it. He despised the thing and he hoped Junpei wasn't a violent person.

[junpei]

"AH... pretty big clock tower. Back at Varron it was barely a story taller than the school itself."

Junpei kicked a small rock as he stepped, it popped into the air and his hand snapped out to catch it, showing his speed. He started to roll it between two fingers and smiled a bit, peaceful... that was nice. He was in need of a change anyways, get away from all the fighting, just escape and get away. Then BK brought up keeping the peace without a captain. Varron and peace, the two words didn't fit each other.

"We didn't... it was hell. You'd be lucky to make it between periods without seeing a fight. It was the worst kind of school for Corporal Punishment. The students used it to beat teachers to near death, more than once someone died from fighting at that school. We had tournaments, to determine who was the best fighter that month. We had a fighting league where you could go to just senselessly beat another person to unconsciousness. It was hell, hell on Earth."

Junpei craned his head back and stared at the sky, remembering a couple fights he had been dragged into, verbal and physical. The one with Stern and Leon in the Cafeteria, where was Leon now? The fight with Bruce in the woods, where he had proved to Bruce he was a better fighter. One tournament, in which he fought and forfeited to a one Nedzad Advic.

"I myself led a small group of people who tried to protect the school, the Knights of Varron, now disbanded for obvious reasons. I guess I should warn you... the best.. and the worst, of Varron will be coming behind me. I'm just one of about 200 coming in... the school was closed after open gang warfare erupted inside the building..."

Junpei continued walking, let BK think what he wanted, Varron was gone to Junpei, forever. He wanted nothing to do with that city and he had no desire to return. His place was here now, so he would adjust and blend, he'd become another faceless student in Hircine if need be, but he would not lay a finger on a fellow student unless it became absolutely necessary.

[bk]

Hell on earth indeed. BK's footsteps had ended when Junpei reached the conclusion that more, many more, students were coming. 200 of the worst people you could imagine. Fighters. Experienced fighters coming to inhabit Hircine High. He saw images of the good times there, and feared those would be no longer. He hadn't heard about how Varron Academy had been, from Junpei, he only got the bad points, and that was from a guy who tried to protect the place. How inspiring was that? Why did he defend it? Why did he cause more battles? Would he do the same at Hircine? Would he be another fighter destined to protect those who don't need it?

"You can't!" He snarled at Junpei. It wasn't an angered voice, it was a saddened voice. Should he experience another phase in his life where he had to endure painful beatings, endure getting pounded for insignificant things? It was like living back with his mother and those days he'd rather have forgotten all about. He looked at the clock tower, should Hircine end up being closed as well? He looked back to Junpei. "They can't come... It would ruin the school. The peace that the higher ups fought for would be gone in matter of moments!" He turned to watch the city he loved as it were, peaceful. He saw a vision of it being filled with turmoil and hatred.

"Junpei... Are you telling me the truth? And more importantly... What do you plan to do at Hircine?" What Junpei would say now would mean everything for BK, and his attitude to the new comers. If Junpei were going to stand on the schools side and try and keep the peace, then BK would stay open towards the Varronians, the best he could. But if Junpei, who seemed friendly enough, proved to be a maniac in disguise... Then he would be one of those chasing away the Varronians...

[junpei]

He stopped and turned to BK his eyes piercing into the man, showing the side of Junpei that wasn't angry but spiteful, not mad but enraged. He hated what had happened at Varron. He had tried to protect every student from harm, tried to make it a peaceful place, he had spent a year of his life at that place and he wasn't planning to let that go to waste. The baddest were coming, a handful of good were coming. Dain was gone, Leon wasn't here yet, Kyukaku was in the same boat. This that were good and loyal were a handful. Carlos, Pine, all of them were nowhere to be found. Junpei was a sole Varronite right now, one of a kind in San Francisco.

"You think I wanted them to come? You think I wanted to come? If I had my choice I'd be back in my home town going to a small high school of maybe 500, maybe. I didn't ask for the baddest to be brought here, but I know I don't want to see another school become Varron."

His knees were weak, on the verge of tears almost as he thought of what had happened there, to his friends and family, living in constant fear and turmoil.

"I am telling you the truth BK, the people at the school, the majority that are coming here.. were fighters by choice. There are a handful of truly good people coming here, a handful. There are even more who would rather see this place turn into Varron, and still others who would just come to fight period. What I want to do here... is to just be a normal student for once."

He looked up at the sky and then out to the city, his new home.

[bk]

"If you ju..." He took in the last of the words before he had thrown them into the face of Junpei. He looked away from him as the other one faced the sky. He had been about to blame him for not protecting Varron, and this indirectly protecting Hircine High. But he had understood it wasn't right to blame Junpei for that. Especially the last sentence had moved BK. But... Even if Junpei was trying to become a regular student. Then BK had an idea, that people wouldn't forget a former Gang leader that easily.

"Why did it have to be Hirrrcine?" He asked, mostly to himself, but if Junpei answered, he wouldn't get pissed or anything. He had already given up on arguing with Junpei. "It seems I can no longer be a normal student... Not without having a clean conscious." He spoke to himself, once again, but also, in a sense to Junpei. It was like the one who wished to become a normal student was talking with the one who was in a way being forced into becoming a fighter. They were the opposites in a way, and the same in another way. God he hated life on days like these. From expecting to return back to a peaceful school, he finds out he has to return to school with the worst fighters on earth. What bitter twist in life. He looked back to Junpei and the Golden Gate Bridge. He wouldn’t allow the school to become a fighters paradise. Neither would he become a fighter himself. He would have to find some path between those two. And if Junpei could help him by using whatever influence he had on the Varronites side, then be it. Right now. He wanted to hear something good.

“Sorrrry…” He said slowly and looked away from Junpei. “Just tell me something… Did you ever experience any good times at Varron? Or was everything hell?”

[junpei]

He could tell BK was about to say something but stooped himself, he was thinking again, good. Junpei looked back down at him as he asked why, why exactly. Junpei had no idea, he didn't know why Hircine agreed to take in all 200, only that they had. Something had obviously peaked their interest for taking them all and shipping them cross-country.

"I don't know why we got shipped here BK, I honestly don't. I know that Hircine paid for the best and baddest to come here though, so if you want answers go ask your own principle."

Junpei turned and faced the school's clock tower, his eyes resting on it for a bit, contemplating BK's last words. Good memories of Varron.. few and far between, Anything with Yumi was a scar on his mind, friends.. few but most were close, lifestyle... dangerous and very eventful, not many good memories for ol' Junpei.

"To be honest... only a couple.... but they are very clear, and very good. In Varron.. you watched your back 24/7, especially if you led a gang. You kept your friends close as possible and hid from your enemies. More than once I thought I was going to die there, by one man's hand... living there was hell, but that was Varron as a whole. 200 Varronites? 50% of which will just try to make a name for themselves among the lower ranks... naw, no worries. The higher ups... they may try to start something BK, they just might. I was never high up.. I never called the shots.. I just did what I could. I'm not a strong person, not everyone at Varron was a god like fighter.. in fact very few were. The thing is BK... some of us wanted to do what we could when we could, I was one of those...."

Junpei looked down and stared at pavement for a minute, before speaking again, almost reverently.

"Some of us... we just wanted what was best for the students.. what was best for everyone.. some of us were good guys, or tried to be, and we were always there to help those in need. That's what my gang was for, was to help the common student, to aid the common man, and to stand for what was right. Seems i didn't do my job well enough eh?"

He said with a bit of sadness in his voice. This was his home now, he would do what he could for it, but letting BK know whathappened... maybe he could prevent history from repeating itself.

[bk]

He listened to Junpei finally tell him a lot about what had been going on. No more vague hints or threats of hell on earth. There were those who wished for power and respect. Then there were the thrill fighters apparently. His fellow Junpei here had knowledge of the Varronians that was unique. If he could get some names lured out, he could prevent hell from happening by calming the people down until the captain could deal with them accordingly. He didn't speak immediately after Junpei had finished his talking. He only laughed a little at what he had said, but it was more of a bitter laughter. He exhaled some warm air in to atmosphere. While turning to Junpei again.

"One man's hand? Who arrre you talking about?" William asked with a curious voice. He shivered, for a gang leader, as Junpei here had been, then he expected that he wouldn't have to fear anything with a gang behind him. But he was wrong apparently. BK couldn't even imagine what it would be like at Varron Academy. Though, Junpei raised a fine question. Why would the Principal pay money to get the baddest students around to their school? Heck, if anything, then BK would suspect he should get paid for doing that. Stranger things had happened.

“You know. This is very depressing to hear, I am sure you feel the same way when I say… I wish all of you had stayed at home.” He said with a sigh and looked at Junpei with the same depressed eyes. “But unfortunately that isn’t the truth. And we are forced to make the best of what we can make of it. Will you stand idly by while the Varrrronians try to claim what has been a peaceful place? Will you Junpei?”

[junpei]

"Try to convince my own that we should blend, what else?"

Junpei turned to BK and smiled a bit, he needed to get going however, he wanted nice bed to collapse into.

"You'll find that most of Varron will feel the same way I do, that they just want to settle in and find their place, but there will be exceptions to the rule, as always. Just beware a few key people. I won't name names, no that'd be pointless as you have no face to the name, it'll be easier for you to find out on your own BK. Believe me however when I say that getting to know each individual Varronite will be your best way to discover what we really are."

Junpei turned and started back off down the street, not really caring if BK followed him the rest of the way to his dorm or not, he just wanted that bed.

"Well I really do need to get some sleep William, nice talking to ya."

With that Junpei vanished around a corner and let BK do as he wished, he was done.

[bk]

I see... An ally in a way. If he pushes on one front to have them blend in and be peaceful. Then I might be able to do the same with those from Hircine, have them accept them. Though. Something tells me it will be a tough job, and before the end... The title of being a pillar must be safeguarded. The Varronians must think the top three to be invulnerable.

"Same to you... See you around.." He spoke right when Junpei turned a corner. BK however didn't walk any further. He put his back against the wall. Hell. Hell was coming and BK knew what that was like. Back then he had just called it home. He shook his head at the coldness and simply stood there for a couple of minutes. Thinking of life, thinking of the changes that might happen. When his sudden dramatic sense of thinking and pessimisme was gone. He looked around to reorintate himself. He would have to sort of follow the same path Junpei had walked and then he would be home. He pushed himself away from the wall and started to walk. In a quick pace, he didn't want to be out here anymore. The world seemed less bright than it had just 10 minuttes ago.