Hey everyone it's AJ and yes this is my first published book that worked a good amount of hours on and paid to get done. 

I have been screwed over and fell victim to a bad company and essentially lost a lot of money on this book. But I want everyone to enjoy this. In doing so, this will be going up for free. And if you do enjoy this, let me know. I might find a writing agent to do another one.

~~~~~

It was another weekday at Yokohama Academy. The school was going to start. A boy in class 3-4 by the name Marik Iwakuma or Kuma for short ran in seconds before the bell rang.

"Iwakuma nice of you to be on time today." Said Mr. Aono the homeroom and literature teacher.

Kuma stood at 5'7" 160 lbs. Built strong and tough but lean. Had light green eyes and black hair We wore his school uniform of black slacks and a white striped button down with it unbuttoned showing a plain black tee.

"Sure teach." He replied sitting down.

Then a girl came in. "Sorry I'm late." She said. She was one of the prettiest girls to rock to the girl's uniform. A white dress shirt that held her D cup breasts, a red skirt, and to give it her won twist some white knee highs every once in a while.

"Miss Tanaka you know your late. It's your first time too. I'm surprised." Smiled Mr. Aono.

"Sorry. Little behind schedule this morning. Won't happen again." She smiled.

Her name was Mai. Standing about 5'4" with dark blue eyes and medium black hair with blue tips the same color as her eyes. The guys starred at her all the time and she was ignoring the fact.

Mr. Aono got up. "We are doing a group assignment. Groups are on the board. Move around as necessary." He ordered.

When the scrambling was done Kuma's group including Mai, Hero, and Horoki. Hero and Horoki thought they were going to score while Kuma just kicked it back.

"So, you guys mind if I lead?" Asked Mai.

"Go for it. Guys you care?" Asked Kuma.

They nodded.

"So it says we have to do a poem. It says about love. Any ideas?" Asked Mai.

"Don't know the subject." Replied Kuma. "Love just isn't in my strong suit."

"Love?" She asked.

"Ya. Touchy subject." Kuma looked away.

"Well. Hmm in that case anything you can add?" She asked again.

"I guess trust, care, and making that person happy."

"Not bad." Said Hero.

"You alright?" Concerned Horoki.

"Don't mind me." Kuma replied.

"Hey, Kuma, it sounds like you write one yourself. Maybe you can really help us." Proposed Mai.

"I guess I can try." He said sadly.

After almost a whole class everyone stopped grinding and blending together ideas their teacher read everyone's project. A few messes. Then some just missing the mark. Then he found one of his liking. "Well class the best poem for today goes to Mai, Marik, Hero, and Horoki. Congrats." Said Mr. Aono.

"Couldn't have done it without Kuma." Said Hero.

"Have you been holding out on us?" Asked the teacher again.

"Not a poet you don't have to worry about that." He replied softly.

"Very well then."

Mai just stared at him shocked.

I've heard about him before class this year but differently described. He's not the outgoing jock I was told. But there is no way there is a guy with the same name. I got to find out.

~~~~~

It was lunchtime as Mai was sitting next to three of her friends Aiko, Gen, and Haru. The three were gossiping as did every girl their age until they realized that their friend was quiet.

"Hey, Mai, you alright?" Said Aiko.

"Ya you seem out of it." Agreed Gen.

"Ya I'm fine. Just out curiosity girls, who's Marik Iwakuma? He's in my class. What do you got on him?" She asked deviously.

"Oh, Kuma. Well he was great on the baseball team two years in a row. But after break he separated himself from everything. Quit the team, stopped talking to people, and his attitude is different." Said Haru.

"Did he have a breakup?" Mai asked again.

"He's only dated two girls and they were nothing to mention. They were quick. Something about his living situation or family or something like that. Sounds weird coming from them. You interested?" Said Aiko.

"Not interested at all. Just rather concerned. I just don't his head is in the right place." She sighed sadly.

"Good luck the coach and his teammates couldn't do it." Said Gen.

"Seems like I have my hands full."

"We'll cheer you on girl." Giggled Haru.

"Thanks. Where does he go during lunch anyways?" She blushed.

"I heard he packs his own and sits on the roof alone. Gazes at the view and is the first one in his next class. Tomorrow have him yours. Hehe." Laughed Gen.

"No Gen not like that!" Argued Mai.

"Sure." Giggled Gen.

"By real now girl if you can pick anything up from him that'd be a first from anyone since last year." Said Aiko taking a sip.

"I'll try now." Mai said while taking off.

Aiko sighed. "That's Mai for you. She is one determined girl. And no boy our age can handle her. Right girls?"

"Right." Agreed Gen and Haru.

~~~~~

Mai opens up the roof door to see Kuma starring at the view. He turns around and is shocked.

"Ummm hello." He said surprised.

"Hey Kuma, what's up. You look dazed." She smiled.

"Usually don't get visitors." He blushed.

"How often you up here?"

"Daily. Unless those occasions where I skip and attempt to sleep."

"Alone?" She said sternly.

"Ya why?" His eyes went big.

"Doesn't it get lonely?" She placed her hand on his shoulder.

"It does. Look I'm not looking for another mistake. What do you want?" He got annoyed.

"I want to...."

"Hurry this up"

"I want to be your friend."

"No thanks. It's better this way. I'm sorry." Said Kuma as he picked up his bag and walked out the door.

"Kuma..." She watched him walk back to the staircase. "Come back to me."

~~~~~

It was after school and the four girls met by a big tree at the courtyard. The tree was their meet up spot after school.

"So, how'd it go?" Asked Haru.

"Terrible. He said he wasn't looking for another mistake." Frowned Mai.

"Oh my God that's awful." Gasped Gen.

"I can't give up though. That guy needs help. I'm not sure how but he needs it. How does a social jock turn into a loner who shuts the door on people? Something stinks here."

"We know we can't stop you but if you need help let us know." Said Aiko.

"Actually, you know anyone from the baseball team?"

Haru scans the area. "Hmmm how about Yuuto Matsui right there?"

Mai approaches him. "Hi. Yuuto right?" She smiled.

"Yes I am. How are you today?" He smirked.

"Good thanks. Question for you. What do you have on Marik Iwakuma?" She said bluntly.

"Kuma? Well he was the Varsity 2nd Baseman since he was a first year and this year he said he couldn't do it. Never said why. After he distanced himself from everyone. Weird as that sounds bit that's how it happened." He said. "Anything else?"

"Address honey."

"44 Ivory Street. Apartment Eight."

"Thank ya much. Oh, and talk to my friends over there one of them I think likes you." She walked away.

He started drooling. "Yes ma'am I will."

~~~~~

Meanwhile on Kuma's side of life classes are over and he has to rush home. He had to get home fast, change clothes, do an assignment or two if he could and rush to work.

Well everything went okay, I guess. Although Mai is something else. The guys love her. She's a solid nine. Although let's be real. High school is a popularity contest. It's something I can't do anymore. Sorry if you're interested Mai. You are so beautiful inside and out, but you deserve better. Not a guy in an emotional wreck. But if she likes me in any way no doubt in my mind, I could do a lot worse. She's way too good for me. Who cares at this point? Time to head to work and hope it's light.

Mai just got to the address when Kuma ran out of the house. He was wearing worn and beat up clothes as we raced out the door.

Why is he in a hurry? And why is he wearing that outfit? Interesting. Thought Mai to herself.

Then Mai gets a phone call as she gives chase.

< Hello? > She answered.

< Hey girl. > Said Aiko. < So, find anything good? >

< He left his apartment when I got there. He's running in beat up clothes. What's that all about? >

< No idea. Good luck catching him. He's was the third fastest on the team. And he played with the upperclassmen since his first year. You have a trained base stealer on your hands. > Giggled Aiko.

< You're telling me this now? > Replied Aiko annoyed.

< Sorry. Didn't know he was going to be running to wherever. I won't slow you down. Run Mai. Run. >

She hung up and continued giving chase. She had to look at all turns to keep track of him. Otherwise he was out of site.

She was sweating and out of breath when she got to a construction site. She stayed hidden and with her keen hearing was able to listen to the conversation.

"Let's go Marik you're late again." Said a Foreman.

"I got out of class and here fast as I can sir." Replied Kuma.

"Listen kid no excuses. Grab a hard hat and move that stone. Be done before dark or it comes out of the check. Which give it about four hours. Keep up the pace. What's with you kids anyhow? Can't teach you youngsters nothing." Cried the Foreman.

"I'm doing my best."

"Kid I dropped out of school. And look at me. I run this place. And I'm happy. So grow some will ya? And quit bitching." He smirked.

"Yes sir."

Mai had heard everything. She was in shock and truly felt awful. Her phone rang again.

"Mai? It's Haru. You there?" She asked over the phone.

"Ya. I'm here." She said sadly.

"You okay over there?"

"I'm fine. Just. Just give me some time. I'll catch keep with you all tomorrow. I got my hands full. Maybe we can meet sometime in the morning before classes." She said hoping to avoid the problem in front of her face.

"Sure Mai. Can't wait. We're itching for this one." Laughed Haru.

"Haru I don't think this would be dirt of all things. I'll explain tomorrow. Bye now." And with that she hung up.

~~~~~

Down the street from the work zone was a coffee shop. Mai grabbed a hot cup and thought she would get her assignments out of the way. She was still bothered by the conversation between boss and worker but tried her best.

While halfway through a boy from her school came up to her. To her he was a handsome fella but didn't have the mindset. "Hey baby remember me? It's Soka. Want me to solve your equation by heading back to my place to cuddle and watch movies?" He said in a cocky tone.

"Boy if you guys want your pole greased so badly find one of those dirty girls or at least come up with some better lines. C'mon now how long did it take you to figure that out?" Addressed Mai without even looking up from her work.

"Huh? I......I......I....." He stuttered.

"You! You should beat it and not waste my time." She snapped.

Soka walked out of the coffee house with his head down low. He got denied and it was anything but softly.

"Wow did you see what she just did?" Said a boy in the background watching the whole thing.

"Ya she totally rejected him. You must have power with that kind of bod. Those tits are amazing." Said his friend.

"Hey boys shut up. I can her you." Mai retaliated.

"Okay sorry Mai." They said.

"That's Miss Tanaka to you. You aren't going to throw my first name around like the other ass you stare at." She sipped her coffee and finished a sentence.

"Sorry Miss Tanaka." They replied.

"It's okay. But just remember if you're going to talk about a girl do it quietly. And a girl you can handle. Good luck you two need it." She put her face back into a book.

The boys got up like Soka and left in shame. Aiko saw the whole thing and sat down across from her.

"Okay how many guys did you embarrass?" She asked giggling.

"Men none. Boys three." She said not caring.

"In proper form." Aiko teased.

"Well I don't take compliments from immature morons. Say 'Oh I love your curves and you work them' instead of 'Hey baby nice tits'. Is it that hard?" She groaned in disappointment.

"Well Mai you are going after a guy who doesn't really have a voice. He had a high ceiling until this year. Wonder what happened. And where is he right now?" Said Aiko.

"Working." Mai took a sip.

"He wasn't last year. Wonder why it's why he quit the team. What job?"

"Landscaping or construction. Beats me which one. His boss is an asshole though."

"You heard?" Gasped Aiko.

"Ya Kuma is a slave from a first impression. I'm heading back after this assignment."

"Can I join you?"

Mia puts the book down. "You better keep up." She winked.

~~~~~

It was almost sundown back at the site. Kuma was out of breath and had a small amount left of work to do. The Foreman watched as he leaned against a bulldozer and drank a cup of coffee.

"C'mon missy you got a few more left. Sun sets in a few minutes. It'll cost you 1000 yen if you don't hurry." The Foreman laughed.

"Yes sir. I'll hurry." Kuma exhaled.

"You're a kid. Don't give me that I'm tired garbage. You should be built from all this work. No wonder a lady doesn't stop by and drop off lunch. You ain't got the strength." He laughed.

Mai was hidden and grinding her teeth. "I can hardly take it. He's scum. That's just so degrading. Might as well kick him in the balls."

"I'm with you. He's an asshole like you said. But worse than I thought." Agreed Aiko.

At last he was finished. He wiped the dirt sweat off his face and walked over to the boss. "Finished." He smiled with a large breath.

"Finally. I'd charge you if I used my lights for you. That's it for today. Same time tomorrow kid. Now get out of here."

"Thank you, sir." Kuma bowed.

"Why you still here?" He asked sarcastically.

Kuma walked away. Little limp in his step but he Huffed and puffed away from the site.

The girls followed him from a distance. They used the darkness to stay hidden. Kuma was too tired to think and who in his mind would bother finding him.

But the worst was to come. It seemed about 100 yards away from his home when disaster struck. When crossing one of the last streets to his house a driver struck Kuma. The car hit him in his ribs, hip, leg on his left side. The impact flew him a few feet away crashing down on his chest and his face whiplashed.

"Oh my God!" Screamed Aiko.

"We got to help him." Bolted Mai.

Before they ran up to him the driver sped off. No one else had seen the accident. As Kuma stood on the ground in the most pain her ever felt.

"Kuma. We're here to help. Where does it hurt?" Asked Mai.

"Mai?" He groaned in pain. "Where the hell did you come from?" He asked trying to fight the nerves.

"Hold on. We got you." Said Mai. She focused on his body and held on to his hand. They stayed like that for a few seconds.

"Hey, I'm starting to feel okay. Can you get me up?" Asked Kuma.

"Are you nuts?" Stunned Aiko.

"He'll be fine." As Mai gave Aiko a wink.

"Ya ummmm, alright then." Confused Aiko.

They got him up as Kuma started to limp with the two girls supporting him. "Thanks. Maybe someday I don't work I can pay you both back somehow." Said Kuma breathing heavy.

"How much you work?" Asked Aiko.

"Ouch. Umm six. Rarely seven days a week. During the summer I did ten hour days Monday through Friday and had weekends off." He ached and stepped.

"Honey your insane." Sighed Aiko.

"Never mind, that let's get him into his place. That's our focus." Said Mai.

~~~~~

It took a few minutes and the girls were tired as they sat entered the apartment. From a girl's point of view, it looked almost clean but things such as the furniture were out of date. They placed Kuma on his apartment sofa.

"Yours parents around?" Asked Mai.

"Don't have any." Sighed Kuma.

"What?" Gasped Aiko.

"It's just me." Kuma replied sadly.

"I'm so sorry." Said Mai with a silver tear in her eye.

"So this is all yours?" Asked Aiko sitting down next to him.

"Ya it's mine. My mother passed and my father I have to get a restraining order. All this I got my hands on it somehow. I try to eat, get schoolwork at home best I can, clean on Sunday, and in my time where I try to fall asleep I try to sketch, read manga, and watch movies." He tried to crack a smile.

Mai joined on the sofa. "Lay down Kuma. You can put your head on my lap."

"You sure?" He gasped.

"Lay down!" She demanded.

"Yes ma'am." He agreed and put the back of his head on her lap.

Mai ran a hand through his thick black hair. "Wow and this is natural hair. Wish mine wasn't as thick as yours. Feeling better?"

"Thanks. And ya I don't know why but my side doesn't feel as painful. Are the nerves acting up?" He coughed.

"Easy now. Now are you tired? Want some food? Shower? Anything we can do for you while we're here?" Asked Mai.

"Both really. I'm do. I should probably..." He tries to get up only to fall back down back down. "Dammit I can't move. I'm hopeless."

"Don't kill yourself." Mia gets up and supports his bed with a pillow. "I'll see what I can work with and you sit tight. Aiko grab him some ice." Ordered Mai.

"I can grab you ice but I got to get going." Said Aiko.

"Alright. Have a goodnight. See you tomorrow." Said Aiko closing the door behind her.

"Thanks Aiko. Goodnight." Cried Kuma.

"Anytime handsome." Winked Aiko.

Ugh. Why did that upset me? Was it her leaving me to this or her flirting on the way out? I can't wrap my head around it but I'm not happy. Thought Mai.

~~~~~

At last Mai finally prepared a small dinner for two as he helped Kuma up. He sat up at a plate of ginger chicken and white rice.

"This is amazing." He smiled.

"But it's just chicken and plain rice. Calm yourself." She replied.

"But it's good. I don't get this often."

"A girl cooking for you."

"I'd laugh but it hurts to laugh. I don't have good food too often and never had a girl cook for me."

"Glad I'm the first. Wish the circumstances were different." She smiled.

Soon dinner was over, and Kuma was getting weaker as time went on. She tried to support him as he walked to the bedroom. He took his shirt off revealing the purple bruising on his ribs. He laid down on his opposite side.

"Hey Mai. Sorry I was a jerk earlier. I'm just so nervous talking to people." He said softly.

"But why?" She asked.

"I haven't told anyone about my father. It's only been 3 months. I never really talked to girls because no girl wants to deal with a guy during an emotional wreck with no money. I don't want to waste anyone's time. Especially yours. We just met really in a sense and you have been so sweet. I'm undeserving." Kuma wept.

"Stop. Just open up and you will be fine. Be real and true to yourself."

"Thanks Mai. I never thought I'd.... I would ever have something special like this. Goodnight." Whispered Kuma as he fell asleep. He was out like a light.

I know I healed him a little bit, but can I really let him stay here alone all night? I helped him get up and eat instead of being in an ambulance and hospital bed. I got to stay with him. I won't be able to sleep knowing what could happen. I'll set my alarm clock and set it early so I can head home tomorrow morning. I have to try.

And with that she took off her skirt and folded it aside and changed into a black tank top. She spooned against him and rubbed her hands against his damaged body. A glow of a pale blue came off her hands. She was going to work as long as she could.

~~~~~

Morning came as Kuma's alarm clock went off. He leaned over the other side of the bed and shut it off.

"Why do I feel like I somethings grabbing me?" He said out loud. Finally looking around he gasped. "Ahhhh, Mai?"

"Hmm? Kuma?" She stretches and yawns. "Good morning. How's your body feeling?" She smiled at him.

"Ummm, is this a dream?" He pondered.

She stood up brushed her hand against his face and hugged him. "No love. Try and walk."

"You crazy? I was victim of hit and run." He gasped.

"You'll have to eventually now hurry up and move your ass."

"Okay."

He slowly crawled over to the side and carefully stood up. He looked at his hands and rubbed them and looked at his ribs. The purple bruising was gone. "How?" He cried.

Mai got up. "Let me make sure I examine my work. Tell me if it's painful." A light smack. She hit his ribs.

"Ouch."

"Well?"

"That hurt but I wouldn't say painful." He said annoyed.

"Okay." Another smack to 'test' his hip.

"You trying to kill me?" He asked concerned.

"What's the problem?" She asked annoyed.

"I don't like being waken up to being hit the hell out of."

"Well I healed your wounds overnight. Be grateful." She snapped.

"Wait you?" He stood their mouth open.

"That's right Marik that wasn't a dream. You were hit by a car last night. Aiko and I got you safe and I cooked dinner and healed your wounds while you were asleep." She stood their angrily.

"Why bother to help me of all people? I can I don't think I'm worthy." He whimpered.

"I'm an angel honey. It's my job." She smiled.

~~~~~

And there we have it. This is what I have put my heart and soul into. If you like you can give feedback, ask about more, and everything else. I'm always here.

Take it easy all.

-AJ