The Past Always Come Back (Leanne/Open)

[Li Nakamura]

Li sat alone on a bench underneath a tree located in the courtyard, a book cradled in his hand. After his class had ended, he had bolted out of the classroom, and pulled out his book, and proceeded out of the building, he didn't have class anyways, he was on his Spare now. He opened his book, and started to read it while cradling it in his right hand. He wasn't looking where he was going, not that he cared, as people who walked by him swerved to avoid him, as he continued on the straight path he was heading. He glanced up occasionally, to make sure he wasn't walking headlong into a tree, and a few times he had to move to the left or the right to avoid an obstacle in his path. He looked up and around, and saw that he had nearly walked into a tree, yup, he was very into his book, it was a very interesting book. He saw a bench nearby underneath a tree that was near one of the school buildings, and he walked over to the bench, slipped off his headphones, and continued reading, as the sun shined through the tree branches, casting shadows here and there.

People passed by him, but he mostly ignored them, as the green hoodie he wore blew slightly in the wind, he was also wearing a white long-sleeved dress shirt, the top two buttons undone, blue jeans and his white Adidas shoes. As he read, he heard the sound of quick footsteps, and looked up, and saw a small, nerdy looking guy running, panic on his face. Behind him, a big, bulky mean looking guy was chasing after him, looking extremely angry. The nerd looked like he was going to escape, except he had the unfortunate and bad luck of slipping on a patch of ice, and was sent falling backwards, landing on his back with a resounding crash. Ouch, he was going to feel that in the morning. Unfortunately, the guy's luck just got worse, as soon as he picked himself up, the big guy caught up with him, and lifted the small guy by his collar, leaving his feet dangling in the air, as he began to shout at him, though what he was saying, Li couldn't hear. The little guy then began to stammer back, but that only proceeded to infuriate the guy even more, even going so far as to rear his arm back and prepare to punch the guy's lights out.

Now Li, by this time, had seen enough. He didn't know what had happened, but the little guy didn't deserve to get punched. Closing his book, Li stood up, and walked over to the two of them, before reaching the big guy, standing behind him, as he tapped him on the shoulder. "What!?" The guy exclaimed in an annoyed tone, as he whirled around, still holding onto the nerd, but not for long, as Li planted a fist into the guy's face, he dropped immediately like a sack of potatoes, releasing the nerd in the process, who squeaked out a thank you to Li, before running off. Li flexed his fingers, man, this guy had a low pain threshold. "What a pain..."

[Leanne]

Courtyards are always fun places to be, especially when there are many different kinds of people that criss cross their way out of there. Leanne had been lying down on the grass with her books scattered around her while she did her work. The weather was a bit cold but the sun was enough to keep her warm and happy. It had been awhile since it had been this sunny these days.

It would seem Leanne was a hardworker or some kind of anal student that was a perfectionist, but it wasn't exactly true. She had wanted to get all her work done so she wouldn't have to worry about it when she got home at night afterwork. If she got rid of everything now during her short break, she'd get the luxury to just crash and sleep when she gets home.

Unlike Li, Leanne didn't really have a kind heart or the will to help others. Not anymore at least. She just felt the need to sit back and relax nowadays and not get too involved, but not so much to be kept in the dark of course. So with the little nerd and the big bully she hadn't been paying much attention until she stole a quick glance after the nerd scurried away past her into the school. It surprised her to see someone she knew. Someone she knew quite well to be exact. Her partner in crime, Li Sohma.

Quickly gathering her books and sticking them in her back she approached Li, as the bully's attention was focused on him. She merely kicked the bully where the sun doesn't shine, ignoring him while he crumbled to the floor and smiled at Li.

"Hey there."

[Li Nakamura]

"Hey there." Li lifted his head up and whirled around, his head looking left and right, before his gaze spotted and settled on the girl beside him, while Li was momentarily distracted, the bully had gotten up, albeit painfully, and was about to charge at Li, except she had kicked the guy where the sun doesn't shine, sending him crumpling to the ground once more in agony, groaning loudly in pain. At first, Li did not recognize Leanne, even though she smiled at him, partly because he had been gone from New York for a long time, and most his memories of 552 had been stored in the back of his mind. But just as quick as Li had whirled around to face Leanne, her face finally registered in his mind, as his eyes widened in shock, his book dropping from his hands onto the sidewalk. It couldn't be... could it? It was... "Leanne?" Li said, shocked etched on his face, "What're you doing here?" Li couldn't believe that an old face from 552 was here, especially his old partner in crime, Leanne Deveraux. He thought he had left his past in New York behind, but a familiar face had come popping up, and here in San Francisco of all places.

But if Leanne was here, did that mean Cain...? No, he doubted Cain would come here. He would have no reason to come here. "I can't believe you're here," Li said, as he picked up his book when he had dropped it from shock, and brushed the dirt off it, "I thought I left my past behind when I left New York and came here." No one knew that Li had become a criminal and tried for his crime and to Alaska before coming here, not even Cain or Leanne. And he was secretly glad for that, he didn't want either of them to know of what he had done. It was something he would keep a secret for a long time, until his grave. "It's been a while... partner." Li stated simply, looking at Leanne, her hair had changed, he remember it had been brunette, but now, it was blond, but besides that, Li, unlike her, had changed physically. His hair was still medium-length, but his front hair now fell into his eyes, and the back was longer, and he was more muscular than before. Li shoved one hand into his pocket, the other hand holding onto his book. "How have you been?" It was a simple question, and straight to the point.

[Leanne]

Anyone would be surprised to see an old friend that they left behind for a long time at another school. It was weird in all aspects especially where she herself had transfered to escape all the chaos and start fresh yet end up finding her old friends in these parts. It was odd everyone that was close to her seemed to have come to same school perhaps it was fate that drew them together as they say fate works in odd ways. Maybe it was chance to finish their part of the story that they escaped from and now its just catching up to them. Leanne would only hope that the story would end up a little more like a fairytale ending rather than the nightmare that had been 552.

"I can't believe you're here either, and here I thought I was getting a brand new start." Leanne said joking, "You've changed."

Leanne couldn't say that about herself physically. She was still fragile looking maybe even a little less healthy nowadays with working long hours and multiple jobs. However, her brunette hair was gone and her natural platinum sunshine blonde was back in its original place. Nothing else really differed from her physically, but mentally and personality-wise would be a big change. The emotional factor was something that she could not get over. There were a few things that would just make her snap into a breakdown phase nowdays but no one knew about that.

Leanne merely looked like the same cold, ice princess that had the same reserved exterior.

"I've...been...tired." Leanne said honestly with a small smile. "Just looking for a change and a break of all that chaos, although it seems this school isn't any different. How about you? Is it safe to assume you're the same?"

[Li Nakamura]

It seemed the past would always come back. Li had been sent to Alaska after being tried for his crime, effectively leaving New York, and his past behind. He then left Alaska behind, to start a new life with Alexis, his girlfriend. Li then voiced his disbelief in seeing Leanne here. He never thought anyone from his past would appear, but Leanne went and proved that wrong, and here she was, standing right in front of Li. "I can't believe you're here either, and here I thought I was getting a brand new start." Li heard her say jokingly, "You've changed." The both of them had changed, appearance-wise. Now that he was able to look at Leanne closely, he could see she looked fragile, a little less healthy than before. She looked like a single touch, would shatter her into a thousand tiny pieces. He tried to escape his past in New York, only to end up seeing a face from his past. Talk about a twist of fate. Li then thought back to New York, how he had to leave everything behind, including his position as Vice President, and Leanne, especially when she had been going through a tough time. He had missed her, and had wondered how she was doing, but now that she was here, he need not worry anymore.

He did however, worry about her current state. Although she looked exactly like the ice-cold princess with the same reserved exterior she had been before, he was still worried about her. "I've...been...tired." Li looked at her with a concern look as he saw the small smile on her face. "Just looking for a change and a break of all that chaos, although it seems this school isn't any different. How about you? Is it safe to assume you're the same?" "You could say that," Li replied, shrugging his shoulders casually, "I'm still the sarcastic, cynical punk who doesn't give two way shits what people think of me." Let's be honest here. Li had been sarcastic back at 552, he had been sarcastic at Point Hope, and was still sarcastic even at 42. Oh yeah, he definitely changed alright. "It's all the same wherever you go," Li said honestly, as he sat back down on the bench, moving over so Leanne could sit down if she wished, "Chaos, fights, violence. It's everywhere, no matter what. Sometimes I wonder if there's a school out there that doesn't have any violence, and what it's like. Then I go, 'Yeah. Right.' Not in this lifetime."

Li smiled kindly at Leanne, the poor girl looked exhausted. "... Don't... don't push yourself too hard. Dropping dead from exhaustion, won't make the boss give you a raise, trust me." A bit of humor, something that seemed to be scarce these days. "Do you... have a place to stay? I hope it's not a garage, those things barely get any heating."

[Leanne]

Leanne felt herself cringe subconsciously at the concern that reflected in Li's eyes. Yes, she still had an ounce of trust within him after all he was one of her friends, yet he was also one of the pieces in her grand play at 552. She would've liked to refer to him as the latter in the case of defining their relationship. Leanne didn't need it, no, it was more so that she didn't want it. The care, the kindness and concern that people had for one another would just bring too much pain and the false hope had crushed her enough already. Things were getting to angsty and she knew she needed to step up and get over it and her method was just to keep herself uninvolved.

But according to what Li had said, he hadn't changed mentally, at least in the personality perspective. He earned himself a chuckle from Leanne. Even though Leanne told herself not to give too much trust and share too much feelings and create so many bonds with others, she couldn't help but feel comfort from seeing an old friend. After seeing Jay, she didn't know if she could handle things anymore. Yes, she wanted a fresh start but she had always subconsciously yearned for stability in which everyone around her had crumbled. Especially Cain.

She didn't want to get started nor think about him. He was a special case.

"... Don't... don't push yourself too hard. Dropping dead from exhaustion, won't make the boss give you a raise, trust me."

Leanne actually burst out into a short fit of chuckles under her breath. It was the funniest thing she had heard in months and really, it was absolutely brilliant.

"Do you... have a place to stay? I hope it's not a garage, those things barely get any heating."

"See I'm not as horrible as Jay when picking living conditions. I'm just a little better. Just living in a basement." Leanne said with a weary smile as he enveloped Li into a hug.

"Sorry. I just...missed you. Missed everything." Leanne admitted. She wanted and needed some stability for now, and Li was just one of the only few people that seemed to remain, even if its only a fragment of his existence. No one else was left. He was here. And the other didn't remember.

[Li Nakamura]

Li carefully stared into empty space the minute he saw Leanne cringe from the look of concern in his eyes. While Li was one of her friends, he had also been one of the grand pieces in her grand play back at 552. Despite the fact Leanne had reverted back to her ice queen persona, that didn't matter to Li, despite his sarcastic nature, he would still watch out for Leanne. He replied that he hadn't changed, personality-wise, which earned him a chuckle from Leanne, as he smiled slightly, it was strange seeing Leanne again, after leaving 552 and New York behind. Strange, but in a way, kind of nice. He had missed Leanne, and sometimes wondered how she had been. He had come to San Francisco to start fresh, but it seemed the past always come back, one way or another. He smiled even more when he heard her burst out into a short fit of chuckles under her breath at his comment, seeing as it was true. Bosses won't give raises even if you do drop dead from working so hard. He then asked if she had a place to stay, and hoped it wasn't a garage. Damn things had terrible heating problems, like, oh, I don't know, not getting any heat at all!?

"See I'm not as horrible as Jay when picking living conditions. I'm just a little better. Just living in a basement."

"Well that's much better than a garage. Why Jay picked it, is beyond me. Okay, maybe you can have a garage party, but that doesn't really count for much." Li replied, seeing Leanne smile wearily before enveloping him in a hug. At first Li was uncertain, and frankly, slightly surprised, but all the same, he hugged her back. Man, she didn't just have a ice queen persona, she felt like one too! Her body was slightly cold, as Li tried to warm her up with his own body warmth. "Sorry. I just...missed you. Missed everything." "Don't worry about it," Li replied, waving his hand casually, "I missed you too. I actually kind of wondered from time to time, how you were doing." Li, despite the fact that Leanne had gone back to her old self, was actually glad to see her, his old partner in crime. The former Student Body President, and the former Vice President. "... You got a job. If the boss gives you a rough time, I'll give him a rough time." Li said jokingly, even cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Just kidding. I wouldn't do anything that would make you lose your job." Humor, such a rarity these days. But Li, for all his sarcastic nature, also liked to joke around. "If your boss touches you, just say the word, and I'll come stomping around, all 6'3 of me."

[Leanne]

(OOC: Sorry short post)

Even Leanne says she cannot accept more people into her life or allow people to get closer to her it fails during her moments of weaknesses. She was aware of it. It was definately the same with Cain except with Cain it was practically every moment with him that an 'oh-my-gosh-I-just-can't-really-be-mean-to-him' kinda deal. Breaking off the hug Leanne appreciated Li's humour it really cheered her up along with the hug. Sometimes she didn't want to be so human, but hey, can't really help that part.

"Thanks, I appreciate that you still have my back." Leanne said with a genuine smile.

She tapped her chin for a moment before asking Li, "You know everyone left 552 and I was just about the last person that left, have you came across anyone else at different schools or this school? I've only ever met Jay again but...he's different. Then again we're all different, although he's a special case."

Whoa, Leanne felt like she just said all she'd say in a month in just one sentence. She usually wasn't that talkative, but there was lots to catch up with and lots to know if the two were up to it. Then again Leanne was sure it would be painful to speak of it yet she was curious to know what has been happening with Li, and it would only be fair to let him know about her own experiences the past few months as well.

[Li Nakamura]

Li, for all his sarcastic, cynical self, still had a sense of humor that came out every once in a while. In this case though, it seemed like it was something sorely needed. With the situation somewhat grim, Li had lightened the mood considerably, well, somewhat. He felt Leanne break the hug as he pulled back, resting his hands on the bench as he leaned back, as the light breeze blew his hair around. At least his humor had cheered Leanne up, along with the hug. "Thanks, I appreciate that you still have my back." "I'll always have your back boss," Li replied teasingly, even saluting at her, as he returned the genuine smile on her face, "That'll never change. We were the crime-committing duo after all." Though Li never knew about Leanne's pregnancy, and her losing the baby, he had left 552 well before that had happened. He saw her tap her chin for a moment, as he looked at her, slightly puzzled.

"You know everyone left 552 and I was just about the last person that left, have you come across anyone else at different schools or this school? I've only ever met Jay again but...he's different. Then again we're all different, although he's a special case."

Li took a moment to pause, as he gripped his chin in a thinking position, before answering. "Sorry, you're the first face I've seen from 552 here, but when I left New York and went to my new high school, I only saw one face from 552, him. But I haven't seen him since then." Leanne would know who Li was referring to, there was no need to say his name. "Wait, Jay is here? What the heck, did everyone from 552 suddenly migrate here?" Li said out loud, "Did I create a fad by leaving 552 and going to my new high school, which was, by the way, very cold, I thought I was going to freeze my ass off every day." Although Li sounded like he was joking, he was not, in fact. Alaska wasn't exactly known to be warm. "Well, guess you know now why I left New York." She did not however, know all of the reason though, not the part that Li was a criminal, and sent there for his crime. That part, he would not tell of, no matter what. "How about you? What happened to you after I left 552? Did, you know, the grand play ever get past Act I, Scene I?"

[Leanne]

It was unfortunate that Li hadn't seen Cain. Leanne missed him dearly even if she couldn't see him she just wanted to know if he was all right. Her sole purpose that began Minerva in the first place was because she disliked the war within the school and how Cain was going to be the one responsible for calming the chaos. After seeing him on his deathbed she was adamant about keeping him clear of violence. Yes, it was impossible but it was her goal and now that she lost sight of him she could not help but worry. As for Jay, she felt a little relieved yet saddened by the fact that he lost his memory. Relieved because he would not remember all the painful things he went through and depressed because all the experiences they had were forgotten.

It was funny, perhaps Li did create some kind of fad. It wasn't karma, so should they call it fate? Like some kind of spin off of the Spiritus Mundi instead of everyone having a collective conscience and see these symbols or what not they congregate together or something? It was a funny thought but Leanne was glad that at least she knew a few familiar faces in which those familiar faces were people she were pretty close with. Although Li told her what happened the past few months it was still pretty vague which got Leanne wondering and curious however if he did not wish to share it was all up to him. After all Leanne understood privacy and secrecy more than anyone since she keeps most of everything to herself.

How about you? What happened to you after I left 552? Did, you know, the grand play ever get past Act I, Scene I?

Leanne laughed, "Sadly the play only got up to Act III Scene I before the playwright got writer's block. Well I initated the beginning of Minerva's movement, but lets say soon after we saw the positive effects of less violence, another wave of aggression hit as more riots arose. I was vicitimized and well, I decided to get away from it all after that since everyone else left by that time."

[Li Nakamura]

"Sadly the play only got up to Act III Scene I before the playwright got writer's block. Well I initiated the beginning of Minerva's movement, but let's say soon after we saw the positive effects of less violence, another wave of aggression hit as more riots arose. I was victimized and well, I decided to get away from it all after that since everyone else left by that time." "I see," Li replied, gripping his chin in a thinking manner, although he told himself he would never let anyone know of what he had done, he was close enough to Leanne that he felt it was alright to tell her, "Well... Wait, you were victimized!?" Li had a look of shock on his face, he knew that since both he and Leanne had been on the Student Council, the two of them had to ensure that no one, beyond the members of Minerva, knew that they were part of the group. As such, the two of them never took part in the dealing of punishment to the students who acted violent, instead, they aided the students that got injured.

"When did that happen? Obviously after I left, but why?" Li asked, looking at Leanne. Whether Leanne chose to tell him or not, was up to her, he would not pursue it further if she chose not to tell him. "I left New York for a reason," Li began, looking down at the ground, "I was convicted of a crime, and was sent to a prison school in Alaska as a result of it." While that was the basic gist of what happened to Li, he did not tell her what crime he had committed, or that he had used his Qi more times than he could count to help him steal money just to live. But for some reason that escaped him, he lost the power to slow and stop time. Not that he needed it anymore, seeing as he could now access his father's money, making in essence, filthy rich. But Li, because he hated his father, only touched the money once, to buy the beach-front condo for him and Alexis, never again would he use that money. "I'm still getting used to the warm weather," Li said jokingly, "Alaska was never known for its warm weather."

[Leanne]

Convicted of a crime!?

Well, that was totally unexpected. Then again it seemed like both Leanne and Li had their own secrets and surprises all hidden inside their sarcastic-cheeky exterior. Bit by bit the two seemed to be revealing more to each other. Perhaps it was a type of therapy that would make each other feel better by talking about it. Leanne didn't know but she was surprised to hear Li being convicted of a crime. However, she didn't ask what kind of crime, after all if he wanted to tell her he would. She didn't want to force or pressure him into spilling the beans, that's just rude and unnecessary.

"I-wow. I never expected that. But then, I guess you didn't expect I would've been attacked either. What happened was that after the riot we had, as the President people laid the blame on me. They found that I was not helpful enough in preventing the riot. How ironic it is that it was I who created it in the first place.

Anyways, one of the students just lashed out at me because his brother was injured during the riot. But you see me now, I'm fine so, no worries."

Like how Li didn't tell her about his crime Leanne failed to tell him about her loss, and the scars that she wears now. They had not faded no, one across her lower abdomen because of the doctors taking her child out, and one on her jawline from the attacker. It would be a constant reminder of her foolishness and ignorance.

[Li Nakamura]

Yes, Li was convicted of a crime. He was a criminal, forced to live a life of a thief merely to get by back in New York. For all their sarcastic-cheeky exterior, it seemed both he and Leanne had secrets hidden deep within, but bit by bit, it seemed the both of them were revealing more to one another. Leanne however seemed surprise to learn Li was convicted of a crime, and honestly, he couldn't blame her. He did keep his life of a thief in the shadows, not letting anyone find out about it, never letting it interfere with his school life. "I-wow. I never expected that. But then, I guess you didn't expect I would've been attacked either. What happened was that after the riot we had, as the President people laid the blame on me. They found that I was not helpful enough in preventing the riot. How ironic it is that it was I who created it in the first place." Li gripped his chin, pausing to let that sink in. "Anyways, one of the students just lashed out at me because his brother was injured during the riot. But you see me now, I'm fine so, no worries."

At this, Li's eyes flashed in surprise, before returning to normal, though a hint of sadness could be seen. "If only I was there... Then perhaps you wouldn't have been injured." But no matter how much Li regretted it, there was no point in dwelling on the past. The past was the past, and the future is the future. "I... had to become a thief when I was back in New York," Li began, looking straight at Leanne this time, "Because my father is in a coma, and I wasn't able to access his money, I was broke. I had to steal to survive. It also helped that I had a Qi, I had the power to stop and slow time down. But one day, I got caught, because I freed one of the guards from my Qi when I accidentally brushed against him. I was sent to court, convicted, and sent to a prison school, Point Hope, up in the frozen ice box wasteland known as Alaska. But I left the school mid-way through the year with my girlfriend, and we came here, to San Francisco." Li looked up at the sky, letting the wind blow his hair back, before looking back down at Leanne.

"I lost my Qi though, somehow. I can't control time anymore."

[Leanne]

A qi? Control time? Crime? Thief? Girlfriend?

Wow, Li had a lot going for him. Leanne could understand the sense of change and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Li definitely had his share of pain, adventure, and struggles. Leanne sighed, it must have been a difficult life to have to live on what you steal. Even the idea of stealing and breaking these kind of unspoken laws that parents teach was a harsh step, afterall they were still children in terms of life experiences and age. Then again, Leanne was pretty sure the two of them had life experiences that rivaled any grown adult of the age of thirty, of course the actions taken may be different in terms of maturity or such, but the experiences change and make people grow.

"I lost my Qi though, somehow. I can't control time anymore."

"That must've been...tough." Leanne said with pity and sympathy, she understood pain well too, "At least you have someone you love with you know so things would be much better no?"

It should be more than just relatively better. Afterall spending time with those you love and having them share the pain and take away the pain with just simple smile or the knowledge of them being safe was enough to make Leanne feel at peace. When people note how love is a miraculous thing and how it would save many, she wouldn't disagree.

"Since we're having this little heart to heart session, I-I suppose I should spill my beans too." Leanne said with a weak smile. "I had been pregnant with Cain's child, and that's why I had left him along with the plan to prevent him from fighting anymore than he already was. I had been afraid to endanger his safety so I wanted to create Minerva to minimize if not destroy the possible threat that he would encounter. However, of course things didn't really work out and I lose my child when I was attacked."

[Li Nakamura]

"It was tough," Li admitted, hearing the sympathy and pity in Leanne's voice, which he appreciated greatly, "But you're right, at least I do have someone I love with me, so at least my life wasn't a total bust." And to be honest, Li was glad he had Alexis with him now. Sure they went through a lot to get to this point, but in the end, it brought them closer to each other. He loved her more than anyone in this entire damn world, and would do anything for and to protect her. And he wouldn't have it any other way. Plus, she also knew how it felt to lose a Qi, having lost her own. But while his loss was a bit saddening, her loss, not so much. For one thing, she could finally fall asleep, which made him happy more than anything else. The other pluses? Well, those need not be mentioned.

"Since we're having this little heart to heart session, I-I suppose I should spill my beans too." Li saw Leanne smile weakly, as he listened to her tell him that she had been pregnant with Cain's child and that's why she left him, along with creating the plan to prevent him from fighting anymore than he already had been, which, in Li's opinion, was a lot, which surprised him. He had absolutely no idea that she had been pregnant, and that Cain was the father no less. "I had been afraid to endanger his safety so I wanted to create Minerva to minimize if not destroy the possible threat that he would encounter. However, of course things didn't really work out and I lose my child when I was attacked." "That's... Wow Leanne, I don't know what to say," Li said after she had finished, "That is crazy. I'm sorry about your baby though. I can't imagine how hard it must've been for you."

Li gave Leanne a reassuring but slightly sad smile. "If you ever need anything, anything at all, just let me know, and I'll do my best to help you. We're still partners in crime after all, even if we're at a different school. Besides, I don't think Jay can really be all that reliable, not in his current state of mind at least, and I still have absolutely no idea where Cain is, I haven't seen him since Point Hope."