The following morning, C woke up first, despite having fallen asleep late. He was on a tight schedule of studying, and he couldn't fall behind. He kept Z tucked in nice and comfy, sitting at his desk and opening up his book, studying silently until Z decided to wake up. He knew today would be a bad day for him, so he'd remain silent.

But eventually, as time went on, C had to wake up Z. He'd hate for the boy to miss breakfast. Perhaps he should go get the new kid too. No one else would do it, or remember. He returned to the bed, rubbing at his eyes as he shook Z gently. "It's time for breakfast, y'gotta get up."

Z's emerald eyes opened immediately, darting around the room as if he'd just been pulled out of a dream. He blinked a few times as they settled upon the pinkette above him, a yawn escaping his lips.

"Thanks…"

He mumbled and slowly pulled himself to sit up in bed, stretching his arms.

While C gave Z some time to wake up mentally, he went out into M's room. After a bit of clearly heard by the entire floor arguing, he walked back out, then brought Z downstairs to eat. "I guess he'll be joining us later..."

As they entered the main room downstairs where children all sat at the lined up cafeteria-like tables to eat, Z looked around at the food set up in a buffet style for children to serve themselves. Ever since he lived with his Mom and Dad, he had a problem with his appetite and eating. More specifically, he was told by his Father that he was greedy if he ever finished an entire plate, and should eat only half at most. This was psychologically drilled into him, where now he couldn't eat any more than half of what was on his plate if he wanted to keep his food down in his stomach and feel alright.

C never really ate much. He was one of the few considerate ones, trying to save food for the ones who woke up late. He sat beside Z at B's empty table, but made no effort to talk to his friends.

Mifune got up late, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes before groggily walking down to breakfast. After getting his breakfast, he sat at his own little table in the corner. C blinked as he stared at him. "Should we invite him over...?"

B only scoffed in reply. Why invite over that brat? He shook his head silently, shoveling some strawberry jam straight from the jar into his mouth. He nudged the jar towards Z in offering, which the slightly younger raven gladly accepted and dipped his index finger into. If B didn't want M here, no way in Hell was he gonna say yes.

C felt a bit bad, watching Mifune sit all the way over there by himself. In his opinion, everyone in Wammy's needed a friend. An ally at least. This was a pretty cutthroat place at times, and...M was kinda small. He stood with his food. "You know...I think I'll just sit with him instead. I know you guys don't really...like him. I'll catch you later though." he walked away from the inseparable three over to Mifune's table.

Z blinked. Although he was starting to make friends with C, he wouldn't just leave B… But once he saw A walking down the stairs nearby, he was surprised the see the blonde hesitating with walking over to him and B. This had never happened before, and when he saw the ocean blue eyes drift over towards C and M…. He knew the reason why. A reason B surely wouldn't appreciate.

When C sat down at his table, Mifune shot him annoyed glare. "What d'you want? Y'came to threaten me too?" The pinkette only laughed, shaking his head.

"Look at my arms. I'm in no physical condition to threaten anyone. Why, are you being threatened?" Mifune scoffed, but made no attempt to answer his question. The other boy sighed, looking up to see A coming over, and even more surprised to see that B and Z wasn't tagging along. maybe they weren't as inseparable as he thought. "Ah...hi, A~"

Mifune's head perked up. A? He blinked at the blonde that now stood beside him. He didn't mind this. A was the only one he really liked. "Uh... hey."

"Hi." A smiled. The usually cheerful blonde gladly greeted his hopefully new friends as he slowly sat down beside M. He could feel B and Z's eyes on him, but tried to the best of his ability to act like he didn't. If the two stubborn ravens wanted to come over and join him, he'd gladly welcome them… Which he knew they probably would soon. No way would his B sit back and watch as he spent time with anyone other than him. And Z, the boy he knew secretly crushed on his boyfriend, wouldn't just stay there all alone.

"You wouldn't want to come.. Sit over there with us, would you M?" A tried.

"No." Mifune replied huffily, shoveling more food in his mouth. "Yer boyfriend's a dick."

"You really shouldn't talk with your mouth f-" Mifune shot C a glare, quickly shutting him up.

"Yer not my fuckin' mom stop actin' like it." He told the pinkette in annoyance. He turned his attention back to A, not even caring about the dejected look on C's face. "Hey, I got a question: How come yer with a guy like him anyways? He's kinda a prick."

A blushed. He looked down at his tray of food, playing with his hands on his lap. This wasn't an unpopular question, but answers for it were so difficult to explain. He couldn't understand exactly why he fell in love with the stubborn boy known as B, he just… did. Maybe it was the fact that he was so misunderstood by everyone, A took the time to uncover what was underneath when no one else gave him the chance. Maybe it was because B could make him laugh. Maybe it was because of the way he made A smile or blush with even simple gestures, or the affection he showed to him and him alone. Maybe it was because…

"We're just… In love."

Mifune gave a grin, ruffling A's hair as if he were a little brother. "heh, that's pretty cute. But ain'cha a little too young t'be sayin' shit like love and understandin'? My mama always told me I'd never be able to have a lover 'cause I'm dumb." He gave a shrug. C sighed softly.

"I personally think young love is cute. Every experience is worth it, right?"

"Says the one with no boyfriend." Mifune sneered with a grin.

"Well you don't have one either!"

"I ain't tryna date anybody in here!"

"I'm 9, and he's 8." A repeated their ages for the second time since he met M. "I know we're a little young, but I just know… I know we've got to be the only ones for eachother."

"Nine's still pretty young t'me. Especially since B told me you two do stuff together." He snickered, going back to chomping down his food. "So you've been here at least 4 years. What about you?" He questioned C.

The pinkette was a bit surprised he'd spoken to him, but answered nonetheless. "Oh, two years. But I've been bouncing around orphanages for a while."

It took a minute for A to process what Mifune said.

"Stuff?!" The blonde interjected with an embarrassed blush that could surely be spotted all the way from their table to B and Z's.

Mifune almost laughed at the expression on A's face. He tugged at his shirt, urging him to talk. "Come on now, is it the truth or isn't it? I kinda need to know since I'm right next door."

"S-Shut your mouth." A mumbled and cast his glace away off to the side. He was way too polite.

Mifune gave a nod, shoving the last of his food into his mouth. "Well...guess I'll be requesting a new room." He looked up at C. "Wanna switch?" To which the pinkette quickly shook his head no.

At this point, B had already finished his jar and Z ate only a little of the breakfast on his place – including the few strawberries B offered. The two stood and, picking up their trays, went right over to the others' table, but for different reasons. Whereas B wanted to get in on the conversation and slip right in beside A, Z just didn't want to be alone.

And more surprises joined the table. B dropped his tray beside A, which instinctively made the blonde slide over. C blinked when B sat down, Z not far behind. Mifune groaned, muttering a sarcastic "great" under his breath. C hoped that the redhead wouldn't start any more problems with B.

"So, what're we talkin' about over here?" B asked.

"Nothi-"

"B and A's relationship." Mifune cut C off, shrugging. "I wanna get a new room. I don't think I wanna hear 'em go at it. And C's bein' a jerk and won't switch with me." He made a bit of a grossed out face, and C gave an exasperated sigh. He's so damn blunt...

Z so obviously frowned in annoyance from the thought. Man, was he glad he didn't have M's room...

B smirked, obviously egging on M in any way he could. "Yeah, you'd probably want to switch."

"B…" A warned.

"What? It's true. You have no idea how loud this one gets.." He jerked his thumb in an extremely embarrassed A's direction.

"Rue, that's enough!"

B's eyes widened. Speaking of your own or another child's real name was forbidden at this school, and B hated it especially. Almost instantly, the blonde wished he could take back his little outburst.

"B…"

B stood from the table abruptly, marching right off to dump out what remained of his food and leave. The nervous blonde followed, and, seeing no reason to stay behind as well as wanting to know what would happen, Z left as well.

It was silent at the table. Mifune didn't care enough to comment, while C had no idea what to make of this. Was B mad at A? He never thought he'd see a sight like that before. Soon enough it became a little too awkward for him. "Um...I'm gonna go study. If you want the rest of my breakfast, you can have it."

C left the room, leaving Mifune to jump at the opportunity to finish C's food.

oOo

Some time later, there was a knock at Mifune's door. It was so obviously by the slow and almost nervous hesitance of it, who was behind it before the mystery person even spoke.

"M… You can't miss your classes… They'll find you and bring you into the office." A warned.

"Don't care." Was the annoyed response from behind the door, the redhead rolling onto his side. "Maybe they'll get sick of me being a freeloader and kick me out."

"Open the door…"

With a heavy sigh of his own, Mifune got up and dragged himself to the door, unlocking it and opening it to face A. "I don't wanna stay here. Nobody likes me and I don't like nobody."

"I like you… You're my friend." An offended A frowned.

Mifune gave a heavily sigh, running his fingers through blood red hair. "I dunno... Yer boyfriend might just cut my head off, then you'll have a dead friend. There ain't no reason for me to be here, so I dunno why you bother with me."

A looked down. How foolish of him… B tried to warn him against talking to Mifune and trying to be his friend, but the friendly and naïve blonde refused. Look at where that got him now.

"Fine… I'll be going to class now." He turned.

Mifune kinda...felt bad. He looked so dejected. Damn, he really wish he didn't have a conscience. "Hey! Just...hold on a sec. I gotta go get changed. Can I walk with ya? I dunno where the hell I'm goin' in this place. B won't mind too much, right?"

The hopeful blonde turned back around upon hearing this, a small smile on his lips. "Yeah."

"Cool." Mifune gave a grin, walking back into his room, quickly changing into an outfit he yanked out from his suitcase. Once dressed and ready, he walked back into the hallway, closing the door behind him. "Lead the way, A."

A nodded and started walking. "What's your schedule? We all have different ones."

M took out the paper he had shoved in his back pocket, handing it to A. "Here ya go. We have any of the same classes?"

A looked over the paper. In only about a second, he memorized everything on the sheet and knew Mifune's schedule as well as his own and his others friends'. "We all have eight periods in total. We have seven together. You and B have all eight together. You, me and B have seven together, including this first class as well as Z."

He smiled slightly, "I have a photographic memory…"

Mifune blinked at him, taking the schedule back. "Really? That's pretty cool." He looked down at his paper, then squinted his eyes at A. "What do I have 6th?" He tested.

"Music."

Mifune's jaw dropped, and he stared at his paper. "No way! That's crazy!" He gave a bit of a laugh, folding up the paper and shoving it into his pocket. "Well, I'm not really good an instruments. Is the triangle an option?"

A giggled, "No. But there's piano, flute, guitar, drums, violin, cello, saxophone, trumpet, bass, piccolo…"

"Drums could suit me well..." Mifune thought aloud, humming. "Uh, so what do you play? Something pretty, like the piano, right?"

The blonde nodded. He supposed it was easy to assume that about him. "I do play the piano, as well as violin, cello, flute and bass."

The redhead gave a nod, genuinely impressed. What nine year old knows how to do all that? "That's pretty cool. You look like the type who likes to sing too. Can you sing good?"

A blushed, "I've been told, but… I'm not so sure."

"Ooh?" M grinned. "I can sing too. Maybe you should do a duet with me." He laughed lightly, "I dunno if yer boyfriend would appreciate that though. Can he sing?"

A nodded quickly, "Oh yes, though he wouldn't admit that. He has a beautiful voice. He can play the guitar, saxophone, piano, drums and violin, too."

Mifune laughed again, actually enjoying the conversation he was having. "Oh yeah? Well... maybe he can join us. We'll have a boy band of eight and nine year olds."

"Yeah!"

"Yeah, we could call it Wham! After Wammy's." he laughed right along with his friend. They were friends now. Mifune never thought he'd have one of those.

"I'm sure B and I would love to do that!" A nodded.

It's funny, because the idea sounded great. Too bad the others didn't like him… Well, C tried, but he was pretty annoying. "Do you think we should really do something like that?" M asked, to which A nodded again.

"That'd be really fun…"

A great way to all become real friends, the blonde thought.

"Maybe X could even join, too. You haven't really met her, but her talent is music…"

A talent was something in Wammy's the children were especially good at, above all else. A explained this to M.

"Ah... Okay." Mfune mumbled, scratching the back of his head. "What's your talent?" He asked curiously. Maybe he'll try and have the same talent as him.

"Mathematics." A shrugged. "Though I wish it was art, but if I'm gonna be the first successor to L, Watari says Mathematics is more valuable. B's is Chemistry, and Z's is computer skills.."

The two had finally walked into class - what class was this anyway? - and Mifune's eyes flickered over to where B and Z stood. "Ah...yer boyfriend's givin' me the death glare cause I walked in with ya." Mifune sent a smirk in his direction, only to try and annoy him.

A frowned. Uh oh. He sighed and went over to sit in his usual spot beside B.

Mifune sat down, looking at the three. Wow, all that was missing was the little pink brat. He vaguely wondered what class he had. About a minute after class had started, the boy ran in, disheveled and trying to put his things in his bag, apologizing repeatedly to his teacher as he sat down in his seat. The boy had been up all night, studying for the math test planned for later that day.

Mifune wasn't really paying attention. Ugh...this was so boring. He laid his head down on his desk, his face nestled into his arms. Why did he have to learn about History? It was in the past. Eventually, he fell asleep to the teacher's droning, his soft snores permeating the air.

While B was just staring off into space out the window he sat beside, and Z was playing with a PSP behind a folder, A allowed himself to take a break from notes and cast his glance over towards M. He sighed and poked his back subtly.

Mifune lifted a hand, trying to swat get away before letting it drop back on his desk. Man he was tired. He needed more sleep, he was a growing boy...

A frowned and poked him once more.

Mifune grumbled, turning his head and opening one hazel eye to stare at the blonde. "What d'you want, I'm sleepy..." He complained to his friend.

"If you don't pass classes, you'll fall behind."

"So?"

"Wouldn't you rather have classes with me than go all by yourself?"

Mifune sighed heavily, sitting up and crossing his arms. "Fine... I'll stay up." He agreed begrudgingly.

"Good."

After the class was dismissed, children started to pack up and leave out the door. As they walked out of class, Mifune gave a loud yawn, walking beside A. "Ugh... can I take Japanese for an easy A?" He grumbled in annoyance, knowing foreign language was their next class.

A shrugged, "You can, with B and Z. I'll be in French. I've already taken Japanese and Italian… I'm trying to take as many language classes as I can. We're all required to know three, but I'm going for more."

"Aren't you a little overachiever." M mumbled, thinking over his options. "Ah...yeah. I think I'll just stick with the easy A. B and Z should be easy enough to ignore. Walk me to class?"

"Sure."

"Right. Thanks." Mifune murmured, following A to his next class. He scratched the back of his head, taking occasional glances at B and Z, who were so obviously following behind them. Z was A's friend and all, but it was no secret who he'd choose between him and B.

Once they all walked into class, A smiled and waved goodbye before walking off. Z smirked and waited until Mifune was nearby before swiping out the chair he would've sat at, stealing it so he could sit beside B.

Mifune glared at Z as he took his seat. The little fuck did that on purpose, didn't he? Begrudgingly, the red head plopped in the seat on the other side of B, heavily annoyed. Let's just hope they didn't get into a falling out…

Soon enough, much to all the children's joy, it was lunch time.

Mifune walked to his solitary table with his lunch in hand, the nudge to his should nearly making him drop it. "Watch where the fuck you're going, asshole!" The fiery red head snapped.

B smirked. "Make me."

The brat scoffed, slamming his food down and turning back to the raven haired boy. "Maybe I will!"

"Come at me." B challenged.

Mifune's eyes flashed angrily, and he took quick steps towards B, sending a quick punch towards his face. He didn't even notice A walking towards them. But, as the blonde approached to try and stop the fight, he didn't notice where Mifune's fist was headed. He didn't notice B dodge out of the way until it was too late, and the innocent blonde ended up taking the blow to the face – which sent him flying back onto the floor. Immediately upon impact, the already sensitive boy started to cry.

Mifune's eyes went wide when his fist connected, just not with the face he intended. "...A?!" He panicked, not wanting to lose the only friend he had in this hellhole. He grabbed him gently by the arm, beginning to help him up. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry-!"

"Don't touch him!"

A now angry B warned, prying his hand off of A and shoving M back away from his boyfriend. His shaking fist raised, sending an even harder flying punch to the enemy's nose.

Oh, fuck! I didn't mean to make A cry!

The next thing M knew, he was being punched, the force of it making him slam against the wall. He grit his teeth, his eyes slightly watery from the ache. He stood nonetheless to snap at him. "What the hell is your problem, huh?!" He demanded.

"You punched A in the face! That's my problem! What, are you retarded?" B yelled.

"Are you retarded?!" M shot back, his hands gripping the front of his shirt, trying to push him away. "You're the dumbass who decided to move out the way! It's yer fault A got hit! I wasn't even tryin' to hit him!"

"You're so fucking lucky A's hurt, or else I'd kill you right now!"

But the two had no more time to fight. B focused his concern on turning away to lead A up to the nurse's office.

Mifune watched A and B walk out, and he scoffed, going to sit at his table. Son of a bitch. He wasn't even hungry anymore. He felt bad that he'd hit A.

"Why'd you punch A?"

Z asked as he arrived at the table moment too late, having not witnessed what happened.

"I didn't do it on purpose!" He snapped at Z, pushing his meal angrily to the side. "I didn't know he was behind B, and he moved, and A was there... I couldn't stop myself, alright?!"

"Oh… People are making it sound like you meant to do it." Z frowned as he sat, eyeing the food.

Mifune frowned softly, cradling his head in his arms as he laid it down on the table. "I didn't." He grumbled angrily.

…..

"Do you like A? Y'know… that way." Z asked.

He popped his head up, glaring at Z. "Why does everyone keep askin' me that? I don't like A that way!"

Z raised his palms in defense. "Hey, just asking. I wouldn't care if you did, anyway…"

"So you could get with B?" M asked, pressing a hand to his cheek. "You're a better match for him than A, I guess."

Z blushed, averting his narrowed green hues off to the side. "Is that supposed to insult me?"

He shrugged. "I guess you can take it as an insult. I just think you two got more in common than him and A. A's too sweet."

"I agree that they aren't exactly a match made in heaven, but… I don't know about them breaking up anytime soon." Z sighed.

Mifune gave a shrug. He really didn't give a damm about their relationship. "So hop off and leave em be." He suggested.

"I guess."

Z nodded towards the food, "You're not eating?"

Mifune pointed to his own plate of untouched food that he had pushed away. "I'm obviously not hungry. Give it to someone else."

The raven shook his head, "I'm throwing mine out, might as well get rid of yours, too."

Mifune gave a soft whatever, piling the plates before throwing them out. "Do teachers come lookin' fer ya of you skip classes?" He asked suddenly.

"Yeah… They'll bring you into the office if you don't have a valid reason signed by the nurse…"

"Ooh, scary." M muttered sarcastically. "I think I'll risk it. I'll just tell the teachers I'm sick or whatever. Food poisonin'."

"Why?"

"Cause I wanna go home!" He snapped back childishly before realizing what he said. "This place is a dump." Lies. It was great. "Besides, I have friends out there waitin' fer me to come back!" More lies.

"Lies." Z said aloud what he was thinking.

"I don't give a damn what you think. There's things I gotta do." Mifune answered.

"Like what?"

"None of your business!" M shouted, his cheeks heating up a bit.

Z smirked, "I'm just curious. You think I care enough to judge or tell anyone?"

Mifune huffed, crossing his arms and looking down at his lap. "I'm just... I'm tryna get this kid t'like me." He gave a shrug. "It's important."

"Why is it important?"

"Because it is! Shut up, alright, it ain't gonna happen if I'm stuck in here." M insisted.

"What's his name?" Z asked.

"His name's Tachibana. He's some untouchable rich kid." He seemed embarrassed talking about him, blushing. "I'm trying to earn - well, steal - money so I can go to the same high school as him in three years."

"Huh." Was all Z could reply. He couldn't honestly understand it all that much, but… He supposed he'd do the same thing if this Tachibana kid was B.

Mifune seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, his face softening into an expression that didn't try to scare anyone off. Then he glared again, standing up.

"I'm going to my room." He mumbled, walking out of the cafeteria.