Chapter 4 - Makeover

"Aahh, wasn't that fun? Our first on-stage experience," Anko burst out in glee, stretching her arms high above her head. The concert had ended an hour ago, but it had been hell getting back to the hotel.

Akuro had seated herself comfortably on one of the two couches in the main room. "Now that I think of it, my brother's college is in this city. Maybe we could go visit him tomorrow during lunch?"

"Sure, and if he's as cool as his sister, then it'll be fun," Nani grinned, sitting down next to the black-haired girl. She ran her fingers through Akuro's hair. "And we need to do something about this. A haircut and maybe blue bangs?"

Akuro pulled away from the blonde's fingers. "Why?" She ran her own fingers through her hair.

"Come on, we're big shots in the music biz now," Anko said from the other couch, which faced the one Akuro and Nani sat on. "You gotta get a better style. For instance, look at my hair. White with pastel streaks. But you'd look good with a short, spiked cut in the back, with long, blue bangs in the front. We'll go get it done tomorrow before we go meet your brother."

Akuro gave out a sigh of surrender. "Fine."

--

"You look great!" The others exclaimed when they saw Akuro after a few hours at the salon.

She brushed one of her bangs to the side. "Do I really?"

"Of course! Now come on, I'm anxious to meet your brother."

"Okay, he should be at the cafe just down the street from his dorm."

"And do you know where his dorm is?"

"Of course, I've visited him before."

--

As they walked into the small cafe, Akuro looked around, trying to find her brother. "There he is. Yosuke!" she called out, spotting him.

A young man with medium-length black hair turned when he heard his name being called. "Akuro? Is that you?" He looked around at the other girls as Akuro threw her arms around his neck. "Who're your friends?"

Akuro pulled away from her brother. "These are Anko, Manani, Mamori, and Minako. Or, in better words, Ookami Ren'ai, my band."

"Ookami Ren'ai? So you guys are on tour with Hitokiri Kami? So that was you on bass? I knew I recognized the bassist, even from as far away as I was. Congrats, sis."

Akuro grinned, embracing her brother again. "It was so good to see you again after all this time, Yosuke, but we gotta go."

"Okay. I'll try to come see you guys play again."

Chapter 3 - Big Gig

Anko burst into the room just before practice started. Her excitement showed on her face. "Guess what! I was talking with Hitokiri Kami's manager. He said that he would come listen to one of our practices. And if he likes us, he's going to have us join them on a tour as an introduction band!"

Mina jumped up. "You mean I'll be with Re even though he's on tour!"

"Maybe. Their manager has to like us. And even if he does, the tour will be fun for you guys. You all have your boyfriends. I don't think Daisuke even likes me," Akuro said from where she sat on her amp.

Nani leaned on her guitar and smiled at Akuro. "Aku, I'm sure Dai likes you. He's just not showing it."

"Yeah right. You saw how he looked at me. There was dislike in his eyes."

"But I think I heard the opposite in his voice."

"You think that."

--

There was a knock on the door of Ookami Ren'ai's practice room. Anko opened the door, a huge smile on her face. "Welcome, Mr. Hoshiyama. Please, make yourself comfortable."

The man took a seat by the door so that he could see and hear everyone perfectly. "You may begin. Do as you always do. Just forget I'm here."

Anko nodded and turned to Akuro. "We're gonna do that one," she said, winking.

"What, but we just started working on it!"

"But you already know it, and you have the hardest part. C'mon, let's try it."

Akuro sighed. "Okay." She set down her bass and stepped up to the microphone. Anko took up Akuro's bass and turned the amp on. "Ready?" Akuro asked the rest of the band. They all nodded and Akuro signaled Nani to start. After a few seconds of Nani playing acoustic, Akuro closed her eyes and raised the mic. Her lips parted as she began to sing.

--

When the song was over, Mr. Hoshiyama's hands clapped ferociously. He stood, still clapping. "That was amazing! But you're not the usual singer, are you? I would like to hear Miss Anko sing now, if you would please."

"Okies," Anko said, setting down Akuro's bass. It made a screeching sound and she turned off the amp, flinching. "Sorry."

Akuro stepped away from the mic and picked up her bass. She sat on the amp and reached down to turn it on. "Ready?"

--

Anko showed Mr. Hoshiyama back out of the room. "Young lady, you and your band are definitely going to tour with Hitokiri Kami. Goody day, and I'll see all of you again in one month." He tilted his hat and walked down the hallway.

Anko went back into the room and closed the door. "We're going on tour with Hitokiri Kami!"

Chapter 2 - Hitokiri Kami

"Akuro, over here!" It was a Saturday morning, several weeks after Akuro had first joined Ookami Ren'ai. Anko was across the street and was waving the black-haired bassist over. Akuro quickly crossed and noticed a car parked around the corner. Mamori was behind the wheel, and Manani and Mina were in the back seat. "We want you to meet some people. Get in," she said, ushering Akuro into the back seat. Anko sat in the front and signaled for Mamori to drive.
When they reached their destination, Akuro was pushed out of the car. "You're gonna love this," Manani grinned, pushing Akuro towards the door of a large, fancy apartment building.
"What are we doing here? Whoever it is you want me to meet must be big!"
"You have no idea. Now hush." Anko guided Akuro to the elevator where they went up to the fourteenth floor. Just down the hall, she knocked on a door. A tall boy with red hair who was wearing goggles atop his head answered.
Akuro gasped. "Y-you're M-Makhael from Hitokiri Kami!" she stammered.
Makhael grinned and said to Anko, "Aa, is this the girl who's replacing Mikami? You guys come on in and make yourselves at home." He opened the door wide and stepped to the side. Akuro, who was frozen in place had to be half-pushed, half-carried into the main room by Mamori.
Re was seated on one of the golden couches. He looked up when the girls came in. "Akemi and Bishamon are out shopping for costumes," he said, referring to the drummer and other guitarist."
There was an older boy standing by the window, looking out at the city below. On the back of his black hoodie was a green and blue dragon. Akuro's eyes sparkled when she saw him, and her face grew red. The boy turned his head to look at the newcomers, then turned back to the window. It was Makhael who explained, "Hitokiri Kami was created as boyfriends for Ren'ai, which is now Ookami Ren'ai. I'm with Aa. Re is with Mina. Bishamon with Nani. And Akemi with Maa. Daisuke was meant for Mii, but they never got along. So our band relationships were never complete. Aa thinks that you might be perfect for our Dai.
"If she's anything like Mikami was, then it'll never happen," Daisuke said, never turning from the window.
"Oh, she's nothing like Mii was. They're complete opposites, in most ways. I think that this time, Hitokiri Kami's existence will be complete."
"You speak of existence like we were here only for you. If you haven't noticed, we've made it farther in the music business than you have. What makes you think our existence was nothing?"
"With Kuro, I think we can make it farther than you. I even say she's better than Re."
Now it was Akuro's turn to speak. "M-me?! Better than Re?! N-no. RE is my idol! I could never be better than him!"
"But she's right, you know. They sent me a cd that they secretly recorded during one of your practices. You are a true god of bass. Or should I say goddess," Re said from the couch, crossing his legs.
Daisuke finally turns from the window and takes long-legged strides across the floor and stops right in front of Akuro. She could feel his breath on her forehead. "You're right. She is different. I'll think about it. Now go. We need to practice a new song."

"Oh my god. I can't believe I let you guys take me to meet Hitokiri Kami! But, I'm glad you did..." Akuro gasped when they had gotten back outside. Her face was still bright red from her encounter with Daisuke.
"See, I knew you'd love it. Now what do you say we go get something to eat. I'm starved!"

Chapter 1 - Ookami

There was a new girl at Ketsune Academy for Girls. Gossip quickly spread about rumors from the girl's old school. They had heard that she was called "Ookami" and bullied everyone. This, of course, was not true. It was only other bullying this shy, anti-social girl. Her name was Tsubouchi Akuro. This is her story.

The sky was dark with rain clouds as Akuro was walking to school. Up ahead, a group of five other girls were talking. Akuro didn't want to be rude and tried to tune out of their conversation. But she could help but hear one of the girls say "What?! You're moving?! But then who'll play bass in Ren'ai?!" The girl who was apparently moving replied with "If there is a Ren'ai left. I formed it, remember. Once I'm gone, Aa, there may no longer be a band."
"But you just can't leave!"
"Hush, Aa," said another of the girls, glancing back at Akuro "You'll disturb Miss. Ookami's walk to school."
Akuro bowed her head and hurried past them, towards the school. But she was thinking about what those girls had been saying. Apparently, they had a band, and their bassist was moving. If they needed someone to play bass for them, she would be glad to do it for them. But she was too shy to ask them about it.

A few days later, fliers had been put up on the walls of Ketsune Academy. "Bassist needed." "Band looking for bass player." This was Akuro's chance. She had always wanted to play bass in a band, but never got the chance. No one had ever asked. So the Ookami showed up at the auditions. "Show us what you've got," said a girl whose uniform had been brightened. The girl had a bright atmosphere, what with a high-pitched voice and light hair streaked with pastel colors. Akuro nodded and took her bass out of its case. She plugged it into the amp provided and played a few chords before getting into a rhythm and playing a complicated yet beautiful melody. Her fingers moved elegantly across the frets. Her heart was in her music.
When she finished, all the girls clapped and one of them said "Ah, an ookami melody. It was beautiful. Aa, you're the vocalist, and your voice must go along with our playing. What do you think?"
The bright girl was the one who replied. "I loved it. You're in. Welcome to Ren'ai. I'm Anko, the vocalist."
A blond girl who looked American introduced herself next. "Manani."
"Call me Mina," grinned a girl whose hair was up in a traditional style.
"Mamori," said a tall girl in a somewhat deep voice.
Akuro bowed. "I thank you. My name is Akuro."
Anko grinned. "Since they call you Ookami, I think we should change the name of the band to Ookami Ren'ai. What d'ya think, girls?" The others nod, murmuring their agreement.
Akuro blushed and stammered, "B-but. I'm just the bassist."
Mamori stepped forward. "but you're replacing my cousin, Mikami, who created the band. So you should be the one to pick the name. But since we have been members longer, we get to decide. And we decided on Ookami Ren'ai."
"Exactly as Maa said. And, as you know, Aa is our vocalist, I play guitar, Maa is on keyboard, and Mina on drums," said Manani.
Anko nodded and turned to Akuro once again. "First practice is Wednesday. After school you'll walk home with us. We practice at my house."
Akuro nodded and put away her bass. "Once again, thank you," she said as she walked out of the room.

Once Akuro had left the room, Manani turned to Anko. "Do you think she can lead us to fame, unlike Mikami?"
"I do. This girl... I'd say she's even better than Re."
"Better than Re? But that's not possible! No one is better than my Re-kun!" Mina burst out.
"Except for this one. And having a girl named Ookami as part of our band could earn us a reputation and get rid of weak competitors. This'll be fun."

When Akuro got home, she went straight to her room and locked the door. She then turned to the bed and collapsed backwards onto it. "Wow, I'm finally having my wish granted! I'm finally playing bass in a real band. I wonder how far this will get me. I never heard them before, so I have no idea what it's going to be like." She rolled over onto her stomach and turned on the cd player sitting on the side table. The cd she had in it currently was the first cd of a new band, called Hitokiri Kami. She had fallen in love with their lead vocalist, Kinato Daisuke. He was so dreamy. Their bassist, whom they call Re because of his obsession with Egypt, was amazing. Akuro had chosen him as her idol, but had looked more to Daisuke. She hoped to one day meet them. Little did she know, she would do more than just meet them. And sooner than she thought.