Chapter 1

The early morning's light seeped into the bedroom and landed on a pale cheek. Yao groaned once and began to wake. He sat up and stretched, his shoulder-length brown hair falling into his face.

After blinking in the blinding light, Yao removed himself from the warm blankets and walked over to the door connecting his room and his step brother's. He knocked gingerly but firmly.

"Kiku. Wake up. We have school today," Yao called, the mumble in his voice giving away how tired he was. The door opened and Kiku stepped out.

"I was already ready," he said, following Yao out of the room and down the hall. Yao shook his head in defeat. He figured Kiku would have already been up and ready to go. He was such an early bird. Yao gathered his brunette locks and tied them in his usual ponytail, letting his bangs frame his round face.

Once the two reached the kitchen, Yao started on breakfast while Kiku started their lunches. Since the family had moved, Yao and Kiku were on their own in the mornings and it had taken a little time to work out their morning routines.

"At least we have the same classes this time," Kiku commented, finishing the bento boxes. It would be easier to adapt to a new school since they were together. At least, that's what Kiku hoped.

"Shì de, at least that is in our favor," Yao agreed. The last new school they had been to was hard to get used to since the two had been separated.

Yao finished breakfast and placed it on the small table along with tea. He hoped this move would be the family's last, as he hated moving all the time. He had almost become a recluse, afraid to make friends knowing full well they would have to say goodbye.

Kiku joined Yao at the table.

"Itadakimasu," he murmured before eating. After a moment, Kiku looked up. "Will you join any clubs this time?"

Yao thought for a moment then shrugged his shoulders.

"Perhaps. Dad did say we would stay here longer. Will you?" he asked, taking a sip of his tea. Kiku thought for a moment.

"I might. I will think about it," he replied.

After they finished breakfast, Kiku handed Yao his lunch, and they left the house. Luckily, the school was within walking distance. In fact, it was within walking distance for everyone, so there were no school buses. Luckily, it was a warm sunny day.

Yao let his eyes wonder as they walked along the pathway. It was a very beautiful, lush valley surrounded by rolling hills and mountains. Yao stuffed his hands into his sleeves and nodded a greeting to an older woman out planting as they passed.

Kiku was looking at the schedule as they walked. It seemed simple enough as there weren't too many classrooms. When they arrived he put the schedule in his pocket.

"Ready?" he asked Yao. Yao nodded.

"Ready," he replied, walking them through the door. There were a fair amount of students going in and out of classrooms, lots of smiling faces and even a few couples.

Kiku and Yao found a table fairly easily and sat down. The few classes they had before lunch seemed simple enough, though it was odd to be stared at through the entire thing. Kiku supposed people in small towns were more interested in new comers than those in larger towns and cities.

Yao looked around the lunchroom at all the students. For a small town there was quite a few school-aged children. Everyone seemed to be a different nationality. There were some from Germany, Italy and even an American. Yao decided to ignore the reason and began to eat. He had noticed a billboard with a list of clubs earlier and he wanted to see what was available as soon as he could.

"He's not here again this year. You really did a number on him, dude," said a blonde boy with glasses sitting a table away from Kiku and Yao.

"Serves him right, the tosser," another blonde replied, this one with enormous eyebrows.

Yao couldn't help but overhear the conversation and raised an eyebrow. What were they talking about? A friend? No, friends don't call each other names. His curiosity beginning to get the better of him, Yao tried to keep from intruding on business that was not his.

"From what I heard, he hasn't left his house since that day either," the blonde with the large eyebrows said.

"Really? Man, that guy's a freak," the blonde with the cowlick and glasses replied.

"Indeed," the second blonde agreed. Yao shifted uncomfortably, his eyes jumping up to Kiku. Was he hearing this too?

Kiku felt like he was being watched and looked up to see Yao looking at him.

"What is it, Yao?" he asked. Yao closed his eyes. Clearly Kiku hadn't heard the blondes' conversation.

"Nothing," he replied, packing his empty bento and standing. "I am going outside."

Kiku was confused, but mentally shrugged it off.

"Alright. I'll see you in class," he replied.

Yao stepped out into the late summer air and smiled. It was nice to be away from that odd conversation the two blondes were having. Though it kept nagging at the back of his mind. Who were they talking about? Another student? Why hadn't he left his house? Yao shook his head clear of the thoughts. It was none of his business and it was going to stay that way.

Yao walked around the yard and came across a group of students. He sighed once and approached. He might as well try to be friendly and introduce himself.

"Ní hǎo," his voice was dignified and friendly as he gave a smile to the group of four boys and a girl. One of the boys – a brunet – looked up and smiled.

"Ciao! You're one of the new students, right? I'm Feliciano! It's nice to meet you!" they boy said, leaping up from his seat to hurry over and greet Yao. Yao was rather taken aback by the boy's energy but gave a smile nonetheless and nodded.

"Yes, I just moved here. I am Yao," he replied with a small bow. The girl looked up and smiled, her wavy, dirty blonde hair blowing softly in the wind.

"Hello, Yao. It is nice to meet you. I am Elizabeta," she introduced herself with a smile. Yao nodded to her politely. He could actually like the students here.

"Feliciano, calm down!" barked the guy with the slicked-back blond hair. He stood and pulled Feliciano away. "I'm sorry about that. He's excitable. I'm Ludwig Beilschmidt."

"And I'm his awesome older brother, Gilbert!" the guy with the white hair exclaimed loudly. Feliciano pouted slightly but leaned against the blonde's broad chest with a small blush. The other brunette in the group pushed his glasses up his nose and nodded a greeting.

"I am Roderich. A pleasure," he introduced himself rather stoically. Yao smiled at the group.

"It is alright." he replied to Ludwig. "It is nice to meet you all. Do you mind if I enjoy the nice weather with you today?"

Ludwig nodded.

"Ja, though we only have five more minutes," he replied, sitting down with Feliciano. Yao smiled and sat himself in the grass, crossing his legs and tucking his hands back into his sleeves.

"Xièxiè, I appreciate your friendly attitudes," he replied with a smile. Elizabeta moved her weight to lightly lean on Roderich.

"You are welcome."

Gilbert leaned on one hand.

"So, where are you from? A big city or something?" he asked. Yao shrugged once.

"I have moved a lot but I did live in a big city before here. I have to say I prefer the open spaces here to an enclosed city," he replied with a smile, his eye catching Feliciano moving to sit on Ludwig's lap. Gilbert shrugged.

"I guess it's okay, here. It's mostly boring though," he said. Elizabeta scoffed, punching Gilbert's shoulder in a friendly manner.

"You've always been a city boy, Gil. You don't get a say. Exciting things happen here more often than you give credit for," she remarked. Roderich seemed too busy looking through some music book to care about the conversation. Yao had to admit, this was quite the group of friends.

Gilbert rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah? The only interesting thing about this place is that freak, Ivan. Even that's not that exciting," he replied. Yao raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?" That was the second time he had heard someone being called a freak. Feliciano leaned over.

"Ivan was a kid who used to go here. But he hurt someone..." he explained. Yao's eyes widened and his other eyebrow rose to join the first one.

"Someone got hurt?"

Ludwig glanced at Feliciano for a moment, clearly not pleased.

"It's not exactly a good conversation to have, especially with new students," he said. Gilbert made a 'psshht' noise and shook his head.

"Whatever, it happened a while ago," he told his brother. Ludwig nodded.

"Exactly, it's no longer important," he retorted. Feliciano looked like a kicked puppy.

"Scuse, Ludwig."

Yao looked around the group. Even Elizabeta seemed quieted by the subject.

"I am sorry for bringing up a touchy subject," Yao apologized. It was odd that they would bring up something so touchy then refuse to talk about it. Gilbert snorted.

"Only they really care. The awesome me will talk about anything!" he declared. Yao held back a snicker. Clearly this guy was the definition of self-absorbed.

"Alright, would you mind telling me what happened to this fellow student?" he asked. Gilbert nodded with a grin, ignoring the unease of everyone else.

"It happened like this, yeah? So, there was this guy, Ivan, who was a big tall guy with a scarf and everyone was afraid of him – except me of course! He pretty much bullied three guys into being friends with him. Anywho, so one day, one of his "friends", Toris, was talking to him. All of a sudden Ivan snapped and started beating him up. Those of us who heard the noises came outside to stop him. Arthur must have freaked him out with his magic mumbo-jumbo 'cause the asshole ran off. We haven't seen him since," he explained.

Yao blinked once. He knew High School students were known to blow things out of proportion and exaggerate but this sounded like something from a movie.

"If he hurt someone why wasn't he arrested?" he replied, trying not to show his disbelief in the story. Gilbert shrugged.

"Toris is too nice. He didn't press any charges, so the issue was dropped," he explained. Yao still thought the story was rather sketchy.

"That is an...interesting story," he replied. Elizabeta could see the doubt playing on Yao's face.

"I realize it sounds far-fetched but it is true." She turned and pointed to a large roof peeking out from the trees.. "He lives up there. Some people think the entire place is cursed."

Feliciano shuddered and cuddled closer into Ludwig. He was never a fan of scary stories. Gilbert frowned.

"He's a freak and a coward," he said distastefully. Ludwig sighed.

"Now that you've explained, I don't think we ought to talk about it anymore," he told Gilbert.

"Fine, whatever," Gilbert replied. Yao had to say he agreed with Ludwig. Luckily the clock struck along with the school bell. Yao stood and gave a small bow to the group.

"Well, thank you for your company and the story. I will see you again soon," he said with a smile. Elizabeta returned the smile and stood, giving Rodriech a push.

"Feel free to come and enjoy our company again. It is nice to have a new face around here."

Kiku and Yao headed up to Yao's room after dinner. Kiku had noticed that Yao seemed distracted most of the day after lunch and was curious as to what had caused it.

"I thought today went quite well. What do you think?" Kiku asked. Yao snapped himself out of his thoughts and gave a small hum.

"I guess so. Someone shared an interesting story with me. Apparently there is a student who beat another up and no one's seen him since. He is said to live in a cursed place up in the forest," he recited the highlights of the story, still not really believing it. Kiku raised an eyebrow.

"How interesting. Is that what was distracting you all day?" he asked. Yao nodded.

"I do not believe it to be true. He was not arrested for harming another student and everyone seems to think the worst of him even before the incident. I believe it is just High School students giving an excuse to bully," he replied tersely. He hated bullies. Kiku hummed.

"I see. Well, if it's not true, then there's no reason to bother with it," he said, taking out the first of his homework. Yao nodded and did the same.

"I'm going to go up there after school tomorrow so you will have to walk home yourself." he casually replied. Kiku looked at him, eyes wide.

"Why would you do that? You said you don't believe what they said," he asked. Yao continued to look over his homework.

"To make a point. People think that the house is cursed. Besides, I am rather curious."

Kiku sighed.

"I don't think it's a good idea," he replied, working on his own homework. Yao's brown eyes rose to look at his step brother.

"Do you believe the story, Kiku?" he inquired. Kiku shook his head.

"No. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea to go. You could bother someone. Or get lost," he said. Yao chuckled once.

"I won't get lost. And if anyone is there, I can just ask for directions." Honestly, he didn't think it was a big deal. Kiku frowned.

"Yao, we don't know this place. You could easily get lost," he insisted. Yao seemed rather indifferent to Kiku's worries as he completed his homework.

"Then come with me."

Kiku stood.

"No. You shouldn't be going either," he said and left to go to his room. Yao sighed. Kiku could be so headstrong sometimes. He would go up to that house tomorrow weather his step brother liked it or not. After all, what was the worst that could happen?