A/N: Okay this is a retelling of Chapter 5 from the group's perspective. Well, mostly Warren's.

Chapter 6/Will Stronghold and Co.

When Layla went to find Lash, Will and the rest of the group waited a bit impatiently for her to return. After a while Will could not stand it anymore.

"I'm not going to let her be alone with that creep any longer." He stood abruptly.

Warren stood also. "I'll go with you Stronghold."

Will nodded at Warren vaguely, his thoughts elsewhere. He started towards where Layla had gone. He had seen her leave the cafeteria but he could not see her anywhere in the halls. He started walking to the front of the school where he knew some kids liked to eat. He knew she always felt a need to reach out to people, and he usually supported her when she did, but this was where he drew the line. He did not want her helping Lash; in his mind the kid was unreachable.

Warren had a different opinion. He had thought about it and actually decided that Layla was doing the right thing. He knew how he felt when Layla had reached out to him and he had turned out for the better. Maybe Lash would be the same.

Those thoughts completely disappeared however when he saw the boy push past Layla so hard she fell over. Righteous anger burned through him when he saw the blood on her leg. Lash seemed to hesitate and Warren seized his chance. He clenched his hands and felt the fire ripple up his arms as he threw a fireball at the other boy. Lash staggered back as the ball hit his chest. Warren rushed up and punched Lash in the mouth, knocking him to the ground. Even as he did it, Warren knew he had gone too far. But it was too late to fix that now and he had to stay on the offensive or Lash would get the upper hand.

He quickly grabbed the boy by the front of his shirt and pulled him up to eye level.

"So, you're out of jail four days and you're already back into your old routine." Warren lowered his voice to sound threatening. He was not really intending to do Lash any real harm; he just wanted to get him scared a bit. Apparently it worked for Lash started stuttering all over himself.

"Can it." Warren growled, annoyed. "I don't want to hear excuses."

He threw Lash down, expecting that to be the end of it. But the stupid kid reached out to keep himself from falling and brought Warren down on top of him. Warren cursed softly in Mandarin and got up quickly, flushing with embarrassment. Reaching down he jerked the other boy to his feet.

"You want to fight? Then fight!" Warren was really angry now. He clenched his fists and the fire went all the way up his arms. He started forward but Lash quickly reached out and pulled on his leg, tripping him onto his back. Warren was surprised and for a moment did not do anything. He was wishing someone would intervene right about then and someone did. However that someone was Principal Powers. She helped him to his feet then uttered one word.

"Detention."

Warren sighed but followed without a word. He knew that he deserved it. He glanced over at Lash who also followed, his expression vague. Warren wondered what the other boy was thinking but did not say anything. They arrived in the detention cell and sat down on the plain white desk provided for them. Principal Powers gave a short speech about how Lash should not be fighting considering he had just got out of jail and that Warren should know better by now.

When she left, Warren turned to see if Principal Power's words had had any effect on Lash. To his surprise the boy had his head resting on his arms on the desktop and was fast asleep!