They were so tired. So incredibly tired. But they had a job to do, a promise to keep really.

Step by step they shouldered each other up those steps. It pained them TORTURED tortured them.. But they pressed on for the sake of the promise they wanted to keep. With one last step they reached the top of the staircase and with shaky hands pushed open the door to the crisp spring time air. The duo smiled at each other as they hobbled their way over to a few benches.

"We made it." The brunette said with a smile, her breathing very heavy.

"Yeah." The blue haired boy returned her smile. "Hopefully the others will be here soon."

The two laughed softly to themselves as they nestled closely to each other as they tried to stay away. It was a battle they were losing. Two voices called out to them. One soft and evenly paced. The other tough and ragged. They seemed so far off, like in a distant dream...

[4/6/09]

Tear up your fear. The end is coming near. Spit it out like a spear. I'll burn your dread!

The near empty train clacked along as it neared its final stop. It was running extremely late as a result of a delay, a problem with the rails, it was unavoidable. A blue haired boy stood out from the other passengers as his nearly vacant stare remained focused on the outside world as his destination drew closer.

Next to him, snoozing merrily as she rested her head on his shoulder was a girl with auburn hair drawn back into a ponytail.

"Next stop, Iwatodai. Next stop, Iwatodai." A disembodied and probably automated voice echoed throughout the train.

"Hey," The blue haired boy nudged the sleeping girl rousing her from her sleep. "We're here."

The girl gave a small yawn as she stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes. "Finally!" She gave a bright smile. "I can't wait to see our new rooms." The boy returned her smile and for the most part remained silent but he did however, ruffle her hair a bit. "Broooo, don't mess up my hair."

The boy gave a small chuckle as the train slowed to a halt. "Let's go." He smiled and his sister smiled as she nodded with glee.

Collecting their effects the siblings exited the train to the chilling night air. It was almost midnight. The pulled out their itinerary and took note that it was nearly midnight. They were suppose to arrive hours ago, they hoped the dorm head wouldn't be too upset.

As they made their first steps out of the station the clock ticked down to midnight and a chill ran down their spines. An empty silence fell as the world around them became tinted green as people around them had become frozen in place as their bodies had become black coffins.

"W-what's going on?!" The brunette stammered as she hood behind her brother.

The brother, who had somehow remained perfectly calm, looked around. "I don't know..." He fiddled with his .mp3 player, finding it unresponsive he clicked his tongue and let out a sigh. "We should at least head to the dorms."

His sister nodded frantically as her brother led the way as she clutched his jacket. Though the two did not fully understand what had happened they couldn't deny that this strange world did hold an air of familiarity.

They walked the eerie streets and met with no one for everyone seemed to have been transformed into these mysterious coffins. There were no lights and there were no sounds. Only emptiness.

Finally they reached their dorms, their new home for the next year. "You're late. I've been waiting a long time for you." A voice called in a soft and eerie tone.

The pair flinched as they took note of a boy standing in striped pajamas. he couldn't have been more than ten years old. Why was he here, in a high school student dorm?

"Now if you want to proceed," The boy snapped his fingers and gestured to a red notebook that appeared on the receptionist desk. "please sign your name 's a contract. Don't worry, all it says is that you'll accept full responsibility for your actions. You know, the usual stuff."

The pair exchanged a glance before letting out a sigh of relief. He was probably just the person who was to receive them. Not a big deal, but still quite odd that Gekkoukan had hired someone so young. With a unified they shrugged and wrote their name and signed. The boy, Minato Arisato. The girl, Minako Arisato.

The boy smiled with knowing the contract was now complete. "Twins? That's quite peculiar. You two must be close." The boy gave a low chuckle as he looked between the two face, so similar but yet so very unique. "No matter, no one can escape time. It delivers us all to the same end. You can't plug your ears and cover your eyes." The boy smiled once more as he seemed to turn into nothing, becoming one with the shadows. "...and so it begins." His voice echoed.

Minato swallowed hard as a chill ran down the siblings spine. "Who's there?" A voice called. This time female. The twins flinched as their eyes caught sight of a panicking girl dressed in pink. With a quick movement her hand went for something at her hip. The twins reacted, instead of retreating they moved to attack. It was 2-on-1, the odds were in their favor.

"Takeba, wait!" A second female voice commanded. It was an older woman with long flowing red hair. The lights flickered and the world came back to life. A sweet smile appeared on the older woman's face. "I didn't think you'd arrive so late. My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm one of the students that live in this dorm." She welcomed them, her tone rich and alive with elegance.

"Who are they?" The girl in pink spoke, glancing at them from the corner of her eye. "

"Transfer students." She responded simply. "It was a last minute decision to assign them here. We just barely had room for them but, they'll eventually be moved to their respective dorms."

"Sorry..." Minato replied sheepishly as he scratched his head. "We ran into a few complications." The trains was a given excuse but he had no idea how to explain the coffins and everything else.

"...is it okay for them to be here?" What was that tone? Disgust? They had only just met.

"I guess we'll see." The red haired woman gave the twins a once over before gesturing to the girl in pink. "This is Yukari Takeba. She'll be a junior this spring, just like you."

"...Hey." She said weakly, still put off by the two.

Minato waved in response, not entirely sure how to deal with the girl. His sister on the other hand...

"Hey," Minako spoke up, her cheeks huffed out. "Why do have a gun?"

"Huh?" Taken aback by her words Yukari fumbled over her own. "Um, well...it's sorta a hobby...Well, not a hobby, but..."

Mitsuru cleared her throat, casting attention on herself. "You know how it is these day...It's for self-defense." She explained calmly. "It's not a real gun, of course."

"Okay..." Minako said, still eyeing the gun on Yukari's hip, not entirely dissuaded.

"Anyway," Mitsuru continued. "It's getting late, so you should get some rest. Your room is on the second floor, at the end of the hall." She gestured to Minato. "And yours is on the third floor, right above your brothers. Your things should already be there."

"I'll show you the way." Yukari said as she turned on her heels. "Follow me."

The twins followed in near silence as they looked around the dorm, taking in its essence and making comments. They reached the second floor and soon the first room on their stop.

"This is it." Yukari gestured to the name plate on the side of the door. "Pretty easy to remember, huh? Since it's right at the end of the hall. oh yeah, make sure you don't lose your key, or you'll never hear the end of it...So, any questions?" Yukari tried to smile, but it betrayed her. Her eyes clearly read that she didn't want to deal with any.

"What's that contract for?" Minato asked raising a hand.

Yukari raised a brow in confusion. "What contract?"

The twins exchanged a glance. "Then, does that kid live here too?"

"What kid?" Another confused look. "What are you talking about? ...C'mon it's not funny. Yukari gave a nervous laugh. The twins could only helplessly look at each other and shrug. Yukari gathered herself and cleared her throat. "Can I ask you something? On your way here from the station, was everything okay?"

They both moved to speak. Was she asking about the strange coffins and everything else? Did she know about that strange world they experienced?

"You know what-" Yukari quickly spat. "Nevermind. It seems you two are alright." She smiled again, it was the first genuine one she had given them. They returned one in kind. She took note of the way Minato's, the way he looked at her and directly into her eyes. A little heat rose in her cheeks. "I-I should probably show your sister to her room now." She took a few steps before glancing over her shoulder. "I'm sure you both still have other questions, but let's save them for later, okay? Good night.

Minato pushed open the door to his room. Everything was accounted for; his desk, his computer, his book shelf and various other knick-knacks he owned. He flopped onto his bed and let out a heavy sigh. They had a long year ahead of them. He could feel the blanket of sleep preparing to take him but was quickly roused by the vibration of his phone. He didn't need to look at the name. There was only one person it could be from.

[Received] So? What do you think?

[Sent] About the dorm? It's nice. The people sure are interesting.

[Received] Tell me about it. That one girl rubs me the wrong way. ):

[Sent] haha Come on, she's a little cute.

[Received] Bro, NO!

Minato laughed to himself. Minako was always like that. No girl was ever good enough for him. He continued reading on.

[Recived cont.] But yeah...I think it'll be interesting.

[Sent] Yeah. We can do this.

[Received] Yeah! Goodnight big bro xoxo

Minato smiled again as he sat his phone on his desk. They could do this, as long as they had each other. They had been through so much already. What was high school compared to their relationship?