Kaashi's Story

[Kaasha]

This is my first fan fic, so keep in mind that my grammar is not my best, considering that the more I got into my series, the better I got.

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Chapter 1
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In a small village on Yoshi's Island there was a gathering in the middle of the night near a beach with a near perfect view of the horizon and everything above and to the sides of it. Many a yoshi had gathered to hear one of Kaashi's famous seminars about the night sky and what it contains. The adolescent indigo yoshi was known as the village scientist as he was interested in many types and gave seminars about them since a young age. Although some yoshis don't really pay attention to the seminars, they just like looking at Kaashi's diagrams and through his telescope which he found a while back in a shipwreck.

Kaashi got to the group of yoshis a bit later than usual, but he has been known to be a bit late sometimes. Many yoshis got excited when they saw him carrying his telescope into a circle of stones where he usually puts it when he does astronomy seminars.

Tonight was particularly a seminar of one of Kaashi's favorite things: galaxies. Although he could find at most four, he gave a very interesting lesson about what they are and their classification according to his studies.

Pointing into the sky, Kaashi said:

"Far away, there are many stars, but if we go further away, what do we find?"

A red yoshi named Kiki raised her hand and replied "Globular clusters? I loved that lesson!"

"You're kind of close, but incorrect. Any other answers?"

Some yoshis looked at each other with puzzled looks.

"We get to galaxies!" he said while holding a diagram of a galaxy.

Many yoshis looked at it with wonder and awe.

"Try not to be too surprised, because as I said in a previous lesson, we live in one. Now, you see all those stars in the sky and a dusty band in the sky? Now just imagine all these stars pressed into a disk or a large sphere. That is what this is." He said as he held up the diagram again. "I bet you I can find another galaxy that looks absolutely amazing! You see that faint glowing cloud-like object near the "W" shaped stars? That is a galaxy called the Andromeda Galaxy, my personal favorite and the closest spiral galaxy to us! Here, take a closer look!"

Kaashi positioned to telescope and put in the lowest power lens. "Line up and take a look at our distant neighbor! Just please don't push and shove, I don't want an accident again." Before everyone started lining up at the telescope, a yoshi raised his hand and asked "Wait, do you mean there are different types of galaxies, not just spirals?"

"An excellent question! Yes, there are more than just one type, just like apples. There's green ones, red ones and yellow ones. Just like with galaxies: Spiral, Elliptical, which can sometimes be mistaken as stars, and Irregulars, which can happen when two or more galaxies crash into each other. Does that answer it?"

"Yes it does, thank you." After Kaashi said "You're welcome", all the yoshis lined up and looked into the heavens. "Oh wow! Look at that! It's amazing!!" one yoshi said as he looked into the telescope. Kaashi smiled as the yoshis were enjoying themselves with his passion.

About an hour later the seminar was finished. The excited and tired yoshis went back to their houses for the night. A few yoshis stayed and talked to Kaashi about his lesson.

"That was an amazing lesson Kaashi! How do you know all this?" a rather excited pink yoshi asked. "I've done research, it's what scientists do. I mean, if you wanted to know something, would you try to learn about it?" Kaashi replied.

"Yes I would."

"There's your answer, we do it because we want to know what we like."

"You should consider schooling at the mainland, just my personal opinion."

"Out of the question, I have my reasons, I'm staying here."

"OK then, good night Kaashi. Hope you have another cool seminar later!" he said as he left Kaashi alone.

Kaashi stood there thinking, debating whether the pink yoshi's advice was good or not. As the kept thinking, he packed up his equipment and went back to his house for the night.

[Yoshiken]

Well, I felt very much connected to this story, since I am majoring in Astrophysics in school, and I absolutely love stargazing and such. It was a very good intro to the story, and it had a nice pace to it.

My critique would be to add more detail to the character conversations and expressions. I mean, I could mostly understand the expressions, but if you put more description, then it would have a much better feel to it, and better understood.

You did a great job though ^^.

[Kaasha]

Chapter 2
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The next morning, Kaashi came out of his house looking like he hadn't slept at all last night. He couldn't sleep because the opinion of that pink yoshi hit him hard and couldn't stop contemplating whether to do so or not. He weighed out the pros and the cons, thought of how he'd get in, and how the other students would treat him if he did get in. He was skeptical of the idea of a yoshi attending a human school. It just doesn't make any sense, but that was the best education he could ever get aside from scavenging shipwrecks. When the other yoshis saw him, they asked what was wrong considering that he never stood up all night before. Kaashi just responded with “I couldn't think of another topic for the next seminar, but I'll think of one eventually.”

Kaashi quickly realized that he couldn't lie to the whole village, but didn't want to lead all of them into a false story. 'I have to get this off my chest,' Kaashi thought, 'my lie can't hang around forever. I need to talk to the chieftain about this.' But he was hesitant, nervous of what the chieftain might say. After some careful thought, he decided that it was the best course of action.

Kaashi approached the chieftain's hut, which was the most decorated of them all. He had second thoughts, but he continued with his plan. Kaashi poked his head inside to see if he was there.

“Chieftain? Are you there? I need to ask you something.” Kaashi said hesitantly.

“Ah, the wise yoshi learns from the fool, what is it?” the great blue yoshi replied.

“Yesterday after my galaxy seminar, a yoshi said that I should consider schooling at the mainland, but I'm unsure of how to do so, let alone if they will accept me. Should I even try to do it?”

“Kaashi, there are many opportunities in life that many miss, some never come back, this might be one of them, if you really wish to gain more knowledge, then it's your choice. Besides, it could give you new material for your seminars and thus making them better. But there are also dangers in this choice; just like the fuzzies, they may look pretty and fun, but can be dangerous if touched. This course of action might lead you into touching one that can have serious consequences. Nobody really knows what will lie ahead, but only you are able to shape your own future. Like I said before, it's your choice, I won't hold you back if you make your decision.”

Kaashi was speechless, he thought too quickly to ignore some of the major consequences, only the tip of the iceberg. The chieftain gave him a sympathetic look.

“Maybe you need more time to decide and think it through. The flower only blooms when it's ready.”

“I guess you're right, maybe I should keep thinking, but I stayed up all night about it, I couldn't stop; I have a really strong feeling that I should.”

“Then that's a sign. I'll tell you what, you get all your supplies ready for your travel, I'll tell everyone at the meeting today, is that alright?”

“Absolutely, although I don't know what to take.”

“Just think of yourself as a normal yoshi attending one of your seminars, what would you take?”

“All the yoshis I see don't take anything, I guess I should just get the boat ready and take my leave.”

“Well then, calm seas, Kaashi, I hope you find what you seek.”

Kaashi exited the chieftain's hut and went to the dock and prepared for the voyage. The chieftain sat down and thought about Kaashi's wish for a bit, but then a strong prophetic thought struck him. He gasped and ran toward the dock, but by the time he got there, Kaashi was already in the boat and out of earshot. There was nothing he could do.

“No...” the chieftain said weakly as he sat down and watched with futility as Kaashi disappeared into the horizon.

[Kaasha]

Chapter 3
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Kaashi dropped out of view; the chieftain sighed and closed his eyes tight. 'What have I done?' he said to himself. 'If only I could have stopped him. I don't know what that thought was, but it was very strong; I fear the worst. I just hope he comes back well.' The chieftain got up and slowly walked away from the dock. As he walked back to the village, any yoshi he passed knew something was wrong, they just didn't know what because the meeting hadn't started yet.

By the time of the meeting, all the yoshis were buzzing with confused thoughts about the chieftain and why he was acting like he was. The chieftain stood on his podium with a somber look on his face.

“This meeting shall now come to order.” he said in a depressing tone, “Any news from local yoshis?”

The congregation remained silent.

“I have mixed feelings about the news I bring: Kaashi has left for the mainland to go to school there. But right as he left, I had a strong prediction that he will have a pivotal moment in his life, bad or good I do not know, but he said another yoshi gave him this idea. Whoever told this to him please identify yourself now.”

No hands were raised. The pink yoshi that gave him the idea had a very tiny look of guilt on his face, too small to determine.

“Please! Kaashi's life could depend on this! I need to know who!” The chieftain started breaking out into tears.

The pink yoshi couldn't hold it in any longer.

“I gave him the idea! I didn't know it would lead to this! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to kill him!” He started sobbing loudly.

“You and me both wish he won't die. I will not be the judge of your actions nor will I make you experience any more guilt. You've apparently suffered enough, I won't make it worse. But the point being is that we have to get him back! We need to make another boat and find Kaashi and get him back! I'm not sure if his pivotal moment will make him happier, but I won't risk losing a yoshi to such a cause! What are we without him? He provides some schooling and shows us some really amazing things; but without him, what do we have? We're a tree with no fruit without him! He's the glue that holds our community together! He's a hero, but even the bravest heroes need help, and now is his time of need! Now let's all start working on this boat! This meeting is adjourned!”

After the chieftain's words, all the yoshis started working on the new boat.

Meanwhile in the middle of the ocean, Kaashi is regretting something he should have taken. He groans.

“Three hours at sea and I forgot the most important things on a voyage: food and water! Ugh! I'm so hungry! Why didn't I at least eat breakfast before I left? I should start thinking before I act! It might cost me someday.”

But a few seconds after he said that, the coast of the mainland started to fade into the horizon. Kaashi's eyes widened, he laughed with joy as the coast's clarity increased.

“The mainland! I made it!” he laughed heartily “The first part of my quest is complete! Mainland, here I come!”

Right as he said that, a heard a low roar behind him. He turned around and saw a huge wave coming straight for him. He screamed as the large wave sunk his boat and flung him out into the briny depths. As he broke the water's surface, he started flailing and panicking; but then he remembered something when he was young: not to panic in open water. He floated on his back and took a few deep breaths before regaining his composure.

“Well that was unfortunate, at least I can swim, besides, it's not too far anyway, I can make it!”

Just then, a rope from the sails tightened around his ankle and pulled him under. He yelped very briefly before he was immersed in the sea. He noticed the rope around his ankle nearly instantly; he tried to untie it, but the knot was too tight to be untied so he used his last resort: biting. He curled into a ball and started gnawing and thrashing at a weak part of the rope with his teeth. He freed himself quickly and started his ascension to the surface, he couldn't hold his breath much longer. He was rapidly ascending to the surface, thinking he was going to make it. About five feet from the surface, his vision faded to black and he lost consciousness.

[Yoshiken]

Beautiful flow, that is for sure, and the plot and storyline are so creative and original. I really enjoy where you are going with the story. I love the read, and I like the setting a lot as well.

However, I noticed that Kaashi saw the mainland only after 3 hours at sea. That just seems very short and close, to where the trafficking and social perspective of the yoshis towards humans would be different. Now, I could see their cautious nature if they were spread farther and had little ability to make much contact, such as a few days, but perhaps I am being too harsh ^^.

[Kaasha]

Sorry for the delay, but here's the next chapter!
Chapter 4
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Kaashi's eyes opened sometime in the night, revealing an urban beach; he started to gag and cough heavily from all the salt water that got inside him. He slowly got up on his hands and knees and coughed more as he struggled to stand. Soon he started hacking and retching, but seeing that he hasn't eaten, he gagged as his body tried to cleanse itself. He groaned in pain as he collapsed on the sandy surface once again. Trembling and groaning in pain, he starts crying; for both pain and happiness for surviving such a terrible event.
Trying to recover, he did what he does best: astronomy, but being an urban environment, he couldn't see as many things as he could back on the island. A bit discouraged, he continued anyway, naming constellations, stars and stellar objects until he started getting tired and started to drift to sleep.
His sleep was interrupted by someone shining a flashlight at him. Kaashi squinted as he looked toward the light and saw that it was a teenager looking down at him with a confused look on his face.
“Do you mind turning that down please? It's hurting my eyes.” Kaashi said to the teen.
“Holy crap! It talks!” he shouted as he dropped the light
“Um, yes? I talk, just like you do.”
“But that's-no! There’s no creature there, you're just losing your mind.”
“Hey, you don't hear me saying that about you, I can see and hear you perfectly.”
The puzzled boy poked Kaashi. “Ooh crap, it's real. But how is this possible? I've never seen anything like you...Oh! Wait a minute! You're a yoshi! One of my friends loves yoshis.”
“I thought you people didn't think we exist?”
“Well, we've only heard about your kind, but seeing is a different story. Oh wow, I need to process this.”
Kaashi gave the teen an 'are you crazy?' look as the boy paced the beach, talking to himself.
“Oh wait, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Mark. I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this, it's just that seeing something I thought didn't exist with my very eyes is just...wow!”
“I might as well introduce myself as well. I'm Kaashi. I came here all the way from Yoshi's Island, almost drowning in the process, which was scary. I came here to go to school, but I don't know what to do now.”
“Hey, I go to school also, you look like a high school age type, maybe you can tag along.”
“Um, I'm kind of skeptical, what human school has yoshis anyway? Name one.”
“OK, that I can't do, but you seem like the right type for this school. I'm sure of it.”
“I'm sorry Mark; I didn't hear what you said. I can't concentrate; I didn't eat or drink all day long, ever since this morning.”
“Oh, I don't have any food or water on me, sorry Kaashi.”
“Well, I can see small crabs along this area; those will suffice until I get something else.”
Kaashi seized any crab he can see with his tongue and swallowed them whole; Mark was amazed and kind of disgusted at the same time.
“So, you're the real deal? Not some obsessed guy in a costume?” Mark asked.
“I believe we've been over this.” Kaashi replied.
“Oh yeah, right.”
“Crap! I forgot another thing I needed when arriving here: shelter! Argh! Now what will I do?”
“Well you were sleeping quite soundly when I found you, but you can't stay outside in the open like this, you’ll attract too much attention. I know of a place me and my friends used to hang out at, you can use that, considering that we abandoned it years ago. It’s just under that pier, there's a small wooden plank to show the entry, no one ever uses it, so you'll be fine there.”
“Thank you, I'll need that.” Kaashi slowly got up and walked toward the pier, looking for the plank. Surely enough, there was a plank acting like a doorstep to a cave that Mark told Kaashi about.
“Granted that it is a bit damp and cold, you should be fine. I'll bring you stuff like a blanket and a pillow if necessary.” Mark stated.
“Oh, thank you again. But just a question, why are you being so nice to me? I expected differently from humans.” Kaashi asked.
“I don't really know; maybe it's like one of those bonds that we don't know about when we first meet, but suddenly grows at any time, you know what I mean?”
“Yes, but I'm really tired right now, so I'll just go to sleep. Thanks again for your hospitality.”
“No problem.” Mark said as he looked at his cell phone and gasped.
“What's wrong Mark?” Kaashi questioned.
“It's my curfew; I'm about an hour late! Mom's gonna kill me!” Mark panicked.
“A what now? I'm kind of oblivious to human rules and society. Just full yoshi you know?”
“I'll explain that tomorrow, I gotta go. Good night Kaashi.” Mark quickly ran off and disappeared into the distant urban environment.
“I think I'm feeling that bond he talked about, but for now, I'm going to sleep.” Kaashi said to himself. He closed his eyes and slept, despite the fact that Mark was rushing to get home and forgot his pillow and blanket.

[Kaasha]

Chapter 5
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“Kaashi, wake up!” Mark said, “I talked to my principal, she wants to see you as soon as possible!”
Kaashi woke up shivering a bit and groggily got up. “Who wants a what now?”
“My principal, I told her all about you. She seemed interested. Your wish just might come true today.”
“Whatever happened to 'try not to attract too much attention?’”
“I said too much, some can be fine. I mean, I told my mom about you, but she said I was crazy. It's like people need to see them to think they're real.”
“Wait, we'll be walking there won't we? What should I say if people see me and ask about me?”
“I'll just tell them you're attending a convention, people dress up all the time at those things, it should work.”
“Whatever you say; lead on.”
Mark looked out of the cave too see if it was clear. He signaled for Kaashi to follow. They left the cave and started walking into the urban jungle. A lot of people asked about Kaashi, and Mark's plan worked, they believed every word. Good thing for Kaashi.
“So, this is how humans make cities? Very large and stuff like that?”
“It's how we've done it for decades, Kaashi.”
“Hm, the best we have on the island is a few scattered huts, not really sophisticated like this. Ooh! That looks like a school!” Kaashi said pointing to an elementary school.
“Yes it is a school, but wrong type of school. That's the lowest level, we need the near highest level; high school is practically level three out of four.”
“Ah, I see. What's it like in high school? Is it like my seminars?”
“You do seminars?”
“Yes, I've seen doing those for years ever since I was introduced to the wonders of science. Everyone loves them. Even the chieftain does. Speaking of which, I wonder how everyone on the island is taking my departure?”
Back on the island, the yoshis were frantically working on the boat is if the island was about to be destroyed. In a matter of hours, the boat was nearly finished, they just needed sails. Yoshis were quickly making sails out of palm fronds.
“Kaashi,” the chieftain said looking at the horizon, “please be alright when we find you. I can't bear it if you're hurt when you're recovered.”
“Chieftain!” the pink yoshi said, “The sails are finished! We can start a voyage to get him!”
“Good, have everyone come to the meeting area, we'll discuss who will go get him.”
All the yoshis congregated at the meeting area within minutes. Wondering what the chieftain wants. The chieftain approached the podium.
“The boat is finished!” The chieftain said. All the yoshis cheered loudly. “Now, we all need to determine who will go retrieve Kaashi. I will give you time to decide amongst yourselves.”
The yoshis started talking to each other. There was so much talking it sounded like a riot. About ten minutes later, a yoshi approached the chieftain.
“Chieftain, we've decided.” A yoshi stated.
“Good. Will the designated yoshi please step forward?” the chieftain said to the crowd.
Kiki, the red yoshi from the seminar, nervously stepped forward.
“Ah, Kiki. I actually thought about you being the chosen one, considering your relationship.”
“Relationship? We're just friends.” She retorted.
“Come closer, Kiki.”
She slowly walked up to the chieftain. The chieftain whispered something to her. She gasped.
“Don't tell anyone except Kaashi. Only he's ready for such news. Now go, Kaashi's life depends on it! Farewell Kiki!” the chieftain said as the yoshis cheered her on.
Kiki pushed the boat into the ocean and got in. The yoshis cheered louder when she got in and started sailing. The chieftain gasped when he saw Kiki panicking.
“No! No! No! No!!” Kiki shouted. She was barely audible. Kiki smacked the water's surface as the boat sank as well as the yoshis' spirits. Kiki started swimming back to the island crying.
“What happened, Kiki?” a yoshi asked her
“There was a big leak, termites maybe, or sabotage; either way, all that hard work, and precious time, is gone now.”
“Well, let's not just sit around.” the chieftain said loudly, “We can make another boat! This is just shell of the coconut! We can open it! We just need to believe!”
The yoshis cheered at the chieftain's speech and started working again.
On the mainland, Mark and Kaashi found the high school.
“Wow, big school, no wonder why its level three.” Kaashi said.
Mark laughed, “Just imagine college, my yoshi friend. Come on, everyone's in their classes, you won't attract too much attention.”
Kaashi followed Mark as he entered the building. Kaashi was amazed to see the inside, adorned with the school mascot and slogan. Looking into the commons, Kaashi was hypnotized. He never imagined school to be like this.
“Come on Kaashi. The principal's office is just this way.”
Kaashi followed Mark into the commons and took a left into a door labeled “Main Office”. Mark and Kaashi entered, the secretary looked at them, raising an eyebrow at Kaashi. The secretary waved them into the principal's office, still staring at Kaashi. They entered the principal's office and sat down. She noticed them immediately.
“Mark,” she said, “is this Kaashi?”
“Yes it is, he came a long way just to attend this school, and he told me he almost died trying, talk about commitment.”
“Mark, would you please excuse us, Kaashi and I need to talk in private.”
“Yes, Ma'am.” He said as he exited the office.
“Kaashi, I don't know how to tell you this, but point-blank, I can't accept you into the school.”
Kaashi gave a dismayed sigh.
“Look, I know you came a long way just to go here, but this is a human school, no yoshi-wait scratch that, only one yoshi ever came here, but she left and never came back. We have a picture of her dating to a time before she left.” She opened her desk and took out a picture of a red yoshi.
“That kind of looks like Kiki.” Kaashi said, “But how did she get in?”
“We gave her an IQ test, her score was amazing, and we had no choice but to let her in. She was an amazing student, but a few weeks later, she left and never came back. No one knows what happened to her, but her legacy lives on.”
“You can give me the IQ test. I'm very smart, as the chieftain says.”
“I guess we can give you a shot, but I can't make any promises that you'll be admitted.”
“Thank you, I thought I wasn't getting in.”
“Don't get your hopes up, you might not. I'm going to contact the testing area and tell them you have an appointment. Good luck, Kaashi.”
Kaashi got up and exited the office. Mark stood up when he came out.
“So, how was it? Did she let you in?”
“I'm not sure, she said I'm supposed to take an IQ test at the testing center; she made an appointment.”
“OK then, let's go, time's a-wasting.”
Mark led Kaashi further down the hall to a large windowed room.
“Here it is, and look! Your test is already there, that was fast. Go on in, Kaashi.” Mark gestured.
Kaashi opened the door and looked at the paper labeled ‘IQ Test.’ ‘This is it.’ he said to himself. Kaashi sat down and picked up the pencil provided and started the test. About an hour and a half later, he finished. Kaashi grabbed the paper and exited the room. Mark and Kaashi went back to the principal's office and gave the principal the paper.
“Thank you.” She said, “I'll have the results soon, and I’ll call your name down when I do so. In the meantime, look around the school, get used to it, you might see things today that you'll see every day if you pass.”
Mark and Kaashi left the office and walked around the large institution. Some things Kaashi saw that he couldn't contain himself and yelled with excitement at places like the science labs and astronomy class. Later on in the day, Kaashi heard his name from the loudspeaker; he was nervous as he walked toward the office and saw the principal sitting there.
“The results are in.” The principal stated.

[Yoshiken]

Wow, that was beautifully written ^^. A lot of awesome cliffhangers, and I enjoy your style a lot. Your story is very original and creative, as I have said before. I feel it is progressing and flowing nicely. Keep it up! I am hooked.

[Kaasha]

Chapter 6
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“I have never seen anything like this.” the principal said in wonder, “The only IQ this high was the first yoshi, but she did a bit better than you.”
“What are my results?” Kaashi asked anxiously.
“Kaashi, your IQ is 134! I'm glad to say: Welcome to Coastal High School, Kaashi.”
Kaashi screamed and clapped his hands with elation.
“Talk to the registrar about your classes and schedule; she can help you from there.”
“Thank you very much!” he shouted as he hugged her
“Please don't hug me, Kaashi.”
“Sorry.”
Kaashi left the office and saw Mark get up and run toward him. Kaashi embraced Mark as he laughed and told him the news.
“Good job, Kaashi! I thought she wouldn't let you in! What did you get for your IQ?” Mark asked.
“134.” Kaashi proudly stated.
Mark's eyes widened. “Wow, smart yoshi. I think you'll fit in perfectly. Come on, let's talk to the registrar.”
Kaashi headed to the registrar's office across the hall from the main office. He walked in and saw the registrar sitting in her chair and typing things into a computer. She looked up at Kaashi and asked “Can I help you?”
“I need to register my classes for this year.” Kaashi said.
“Name please?”
“Kaashi, spelled with two A's.”
“OK, there are classes required by law to take such as driver's ed, any gym class, language arts, history, math and science so that takes up six classes. The rest is up to you.”
“Can I add an astronomy class to that?”
“We have a few free spots in third period astronomy. I'll put you in there.”
“What are some science classes that I can put in for credit besides astronomy?”
“Chemistry, physics, and biology; any of those interest you?”
“Chemistry, definitely.”
“Alright, chemistry has been added. You have one spot left for a class. Want to see any classes that are open at seventh period?”
“Yes please.” Kaashi looked at all the choices, but was focused on a particular one. “Computer tech, what's that?”
“You get to work with one of these.” she said gesturing her computer.
“I guess I'll take that.
“Alright, there are no conflicts with the class lineup. I'll print out your schedule now.” The registrar printed out Kaashi's schedule and handed it to him. “You start classes tomorrow. School starts at 7:30.”
“Thank you.” Kaashi left the office. “I start tomorrow, Mark!” He announced.
“Nice! Let me see you schedule.” Kaashi gave Mark his schedule.
“Ah, we have 4 classes together. driver's ed, gym, algebra and history. You know what? This calls for a celebration, come to lunch with me, I'll introduce you to my friends, I'm sure they'll like you.”
“OK then, I have nothing else to do.”
Lunch was about a half hour away, but Kaashi found a way to pass the time. When the bell rang, Kaashi became alert, is if something was happening. Seconds later, he saw students pouring from classrooms and heading his direction. Kaashi just stood there and watched the people mob toward the back of the commons where the cafeteria was. Mark grabbed Kaashi's arm.
“There they are, this way!” Mark said as he led Kaashi toward a large cafeteria.
Kaashi followed Mark to a group of four people sitting at a table with their lunch.
“Guys, this is Kaashi. He's an awesome new student as Coastal. I met him yesterday sleeping on a beach, he was kind of confused.” Mark announced.
“Dude!!” one of Mark's friends jumped up toward Kaashi. “Is he real?!”
“Yes Chris, he's real, I thought the same thing when I found him.”
“It's a privilege to see a yoshi for real, Kaashi.” Chris shook Kaashi’s hand and sat down.
“And next to Chris is Ashley, Chris' girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you Kaashi.” Ashley said.
“Across from Ashley we have James. And next to James we have Miguel, but he doesn't talk much.”
Miguel stared at Kaashi while James nodded.
“So Kaashi, do you have a girlfriend back on the Island?” Chris asked.
“Well I have a friend, but not a girlfriend; her name's Kiki, we've known each other since we were young.”
“How sweet!” Ashley said.
“So,” James said, “what's your story? How did you get here?”
“Well, it all started back on the island, after I gave one of my seminars when a yoshi told me that I should consider schooling here. At first I disregarded his suggestion, but then I couldn't sleep all night thinking about it. So in the morning, I asked my chieftain what I should do. It was a long talk, but overall, he said to follow my decision. So I packed up and left the island. But I almost drowned along the way. A huge wave came and capsized the boat; I didn't know that a rope from the sails was attached to my ankle. I was pulled under, but I managed to free myself, but then I passed out right before breaking the surface. My last thought was ‘I'm going to die.’ But amazingly, I woke up on a beach where Mark found me.”
“That's amazing; you risked your life just to go to school?” Chris said.
“It was my dream. I had to go.”
Eventually the bell to end lunch rang. Everyone left for their classes once again.
“Maybe you should go back to the cave and prepare yourself for tomorrow, and you might want to take these, I forgot them yesterday.” Mark said while handing him a bag holding the pillow and blanket.
“Thanks Mark. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kaashi said as he left the building.
‘I don't like him already; I have a feeling…’ Miguel said to himself.

[Kaasha]

Chapter 7
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Kaashi woke up early the next morning ready to go to his first day. He was running through the streets to the school about an hour before it started. Kaashi reviewed his schedule:
1: History
2: Chemistry
3: Astronomy
4: Driver's Ed
5: Gym
6: Language Arts
7: Algebra
8: Computer Tech
“Computer tech sounds interesting. Oh, I can't wait until chemistry and astronomy! Those will be fun!” Kaashi said with ecstasy.
Kaashi entered Coastal High with high ambition.
“OK, room C-142, history.” Kaashi said to himself as he looked around C-hall. He found C-142 nearly instantly as it was close to the intersection where he walked. He looked in the room to make sure it was right; he saw copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on the wall. “Yep, that's the right room.” He entered the room and sat in a desk close to the front. He sat there until the bell rang to warn people that school was starting when he saw someone walk in; it was Mark.
“Hey Kaashi!” Mark greeted.
“Mark! You made it!” Kaashi said happily.
“Just to tell you, since you came in pretty much the middle of the year, things will seem very confusing, but you'll get used to it eventually.”
The class started, and the history teacher, Mrs. Stevens said “Class, we have a new student here today. This is Kaashi.”
Kaashi stood up, looking kind of nervous in front of many people he didn't know.
“Tell us about yourself Kaashi.”
“Well, I came from an island far away, almost died in the process, and glad to be here.” He quickly sat down after his introduction.
“Thank you, Kaashi. Now, let's continue or lesson on Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War.”
First period was over in about 45 minutes, Kaashi left to go to his second period, chemistry, one he was anticipating during history. He entered the chemistry classroom happy to see things he actually knew about, the periodic table, basic chemical compounds, he felt kind of at home.
Chemistry started with another introduction to the class, but when Kaashi heard the news of lab work today. He got very excited, but he managed to contain himself. He was jittery on the way to the lab; they went inside the lab, and put on aprons and goggles, which Kaashi had a bit of trouble with the goggles because of his eyes. Their main objective was to use hydrochloric acid and magnesium to produce and burn hydrogen gas. Kaashi already knew how to do that.
“Students, go ahead and see what you know. But be careful, you might burn yourself.” the teacher said.
Kaashi near-instantly put the magnesium strips into a test tube of hydrochloric acid and it started to bubble. He got another test tube, turned it upside down and angled it over the bubbling compound. The teacher immediately noticed this and told the class what Kaashi was doing. He waited until the bubbling stopped, put the magnesium-acid tube on a rack and got long lighter from the teacher. He carefully turned it on and neared the test tube. Students watched with suspense. Then a large flame erupted from the test tube, but it died instantly. Kaashi laughed with success as the students clapped.
Chemistry was done for the day, and now it was time for Kaashi's favorite class. He rushed to the astronomy class and took his seat, occupying his time looking at the pictures in the room. Astronomy started, the topic for the day was Saturn. But there was a pop quiz, Kaashi breezed through it within a minute, but the other students took about two times longer. The pop quiz was turned in and the lesson begun. Kaashi was very excited about his first day in astronomy, thinking of all the things he can learn about his favorite thing in the world.
Time passed and periods ended; it was time for lunch. Kaashi walked toward the cafeteria and sat at the table that Mark and his friends sit at, waiting for them. All of them got their lunch and sat down. Kaashi looked at the food that his new friends had.
“What is that?” Kaashi asked with a strange look on his face.
“It's a burrito.” James replied.
“Doesn't look like anything I've ever seen. Look kind of gross actually,”
“Well it's school lunch, what do you expect?”
“You should actually try a bit, it tastes good.” Chris said.
“I'm not sure.”
“OK, I respect your decision.”
The end-of-lunch bell rang; everyone was rushing out to their sixth period classes. While Kaashi was leaving the cafeteria, Miguel grabbed his arm and pinned him to a wall.
“Look, I know what you're doing, stop trying!” Miguel sneered.
“What? I'm not doing anything! I'm going back to my class!” Kaashi said innocently.
“Playing stupid are we? Trying to take my limelight? No one does that! No one!”
“OK, calm down! I'm not trying to do anything to hurt anybody!”
“Oh, but you are. You're hurting my status! I'm the talk of the town here! I expect you to stay out of the group's way, got it?!”
“Y-yes, please, just don't hurt me!”
Miguel threw Kaashi to the ground and walked off. Kaashi slowly got up and headed toward his next class, slightly crying. He unable to get it off his mind for the rest of the day; he wasn’t able to focus. He was now officially scared of Miguel.
The school day ended. Mark saw Kaashi walking rather quickly, as if he was avoiding something. Mark stopped him quickly.
“Kaashi, what's the rush?” Mark asked.
“I'd rather not talk about it.” Kaashi said with averted eyes.
“Come on, you can trust me.”
“Alright; it's Miguel.”
“What about him?”
“He pinned me to a wall, saying that I'm just here to take his status.”
“Status? Come on, Miguel even said he doesn't care about status.”
“Who do you trust here, Mark?” Tears started welling up in Kaashi's eyes.
Mark hesitated, he was speechless. He really didn't know what to say.
“I'm going to the cave for the day; see you tomorrow.”
Kaashi continued his rush to his makeshift shelter as Mark still stood there dumbfounded by Kaashi's story.
“I really don't know who to believe.” Mark said to himself. “Kaashi seems honest, but I've known Miguel since middle school. I feel bad choosing between the two.”
Miguel came up to Mark.
“Hey Mark, What's wrong?” Miguel asked.
“Kaashi said that you pinned him against a wall, saying that you think he's planning something against you. But I don't know who to believe.”
“You can't really be serious. How do you know Kaashi isn't lying to you, just to break us up? We can't let him do that if he is.”
“I'm sorry Miguel; I need to sleep on this.” Mark said as he started walking home.
“Suit yourself.”
Miguel started walking home, devising a plan.
‘How to get rid of that stupid yoshi?’ he kept asking himself.

[Kaasha]

Chapter 8
---
Kaashi got over the incident yesterday. He was fine the next day, it was the science classes that got it off his mind. Especially astronomy, where he stumped the teacher; he felt good about that. But it was at lunch where Kaashi's fear returned. He tried to sit as far away from Miguel as possible. Miguel confronted Kaashi again after lunch.
“Why are you still here? I told you to beat it!”
“I came here to learn, not to be popular! I don't care about that!”
“Uh huh, sure you do.”
“No! Really! If you watch me at any time at school, you'll see me paying attention to the lesson, not socializing with others! Please, just don't do this again!”
“And who are you to give me orders?” Miguel delivered a swift punch to Kaashi's abdomen. Kaashi groaned as he fell to the ground, his hands on his stomach. “That was only a warning, if I see you here again, something will happen.” Miguel walked off, leaving Kaashi on the ground in pain. A passing student noticed him.
“Hey, are you all right?”
Kaashi just groaned and looked up at him.
“Here, let me help you up.” The student helped Kaashi get on his feet
“Ugh, I think I'm going to throw up.” Kaashi groaned.
“We need to get you the the nurse. He can help you.”
“No, I'll be fine, I can just walk it off.”
“OK then, bye.”
Kaashi left the school. He didn't want another painful conflict with Miguel. He headed toward his cave.
---
Night descended on the island, another boat was completed. It was late, but Kiki got into the boat as the yoshis lowered it from their makeshift dry-dock, preventing a leak, which was caused by rocks the last time.
“Farewell, Kiki. Calm seas.” the chieftain said as the boat lowered into the ocean and set sail. The chieftain was getting more concerned about Kaashi every day, hoping he survived the day. The chieftain walked back to his hut. “Now two yoshis lives are at stake. I'm feeling sick.” The chieftain's stress was obviously getting to him. He couldn't concentrate anymore.
Kiki was sailing the calm seas, thinking about Kaashi and the news to deliver him. “I sure hope he's safe. I can't take it if something bad happened to him.” The winds died, the boat was now immobile. “No! No!” Kiki yelled as she paddled with her hands in vain. “More time wasted. More time for something to happen to him.” She started crying.
---
Morning came to the mainland. Kaashi awoke and slowly headed to the school. Mark approached him.
“Hey Kaashi. I didn't see you in algebra yesterday. What happened?”
“It was Miguel again. But this time he punched my stomach. I still feel a bit sick.”
“OK, now I'm totally on your side. I'll talk to Miguel today, don't sweat it. In fact, you know what? Take this.” Mark took off a black bracelet and gave it to Kaashi. “I think you deserve it more than I do.”
“Thanks Mark, I'll never forget this.” Kaashi quickly put on the bracelet.
Mark and Kaashi arrived at the school. Kaashi got nervous. He didn't want to run into Miguel again. But surprisingly, Kaashi and Mark never saw him. Kaashi was relieved.
“I thought the worst. But apparently Miguel's gone. I'm safe for now.”
“For now? I'll always be here for you. That's what friends are for!”
“Thanks Mark.”
The school day passed. And even on the way to the cave, Kaashi saw no sign of Miguel. Kaashi went into the cave for the day, but right as he entered, he felt a hard impact on his head. He moaned and lost consciousness as he fell to the ground.