Koutai: Hi! You guys are getting so much better at nice and non death related reviews…sigh, just when I thought I was loved enough to be threatened nicely….lol

I HAVE NEVER, DO NOT AND WILL NEVER OWN JONAS!!!!

Nicks haircut that I mention looks exactly like his hair now.


NICK"S POV

I looked down at her, watching her blush grow. I put my hand over hers and she stiffened, but soon relaxed, grasping my hand ever so gently.

But even Raven couldn't brush away my own night that lived in my soul. The night I forever will walk in, searching for the nonexistent light of day to take away the sufferings my heart has endured throughout the dark years I all my life.

……Macy's POV

Joe was much worse. He had a bruise that covered his whole stomach and the skin was broken in some places. His face was pale and his nose was blue and red and had one of those nose band aid things that you have to put on when your nose is broken. I should know; I play too many sports not too.

Joe eyes depicted anger and Kevin's were dead. They turned their gaze towards me and I received one silent word that confirmed my hearts fear; Nick.


JOE'S POV

"My baby!" my mother said, tears running down her normally smiling face. "Oh Kevin, Joe, what happened to you? Who did this?"

I glanced at Kevin and saw he was looking to me. I gestured to my nose, not wanting to talk because my voice sounded weird from it and it kinda hurt too talk…and breathe.

Kevin sighed. "Well, Joe and I were walking to pick up Nick from his friends and…well…the newest gang came from nowhere and beat us up." He said lamely.

I saw Macy pale when he spoke, but it was not from fear, but of knowing. But that was absurd, she couldn't possible know that Nick was the one that caused this. She couldn't have possible known that the gang she drew included our brother. Our brother that I wanted to hit so hard that his children would be dizzy.

"Did you get any descriptions, any names?" our father asked, kneeling so he was eye level with us.

"No, it was too dark and they didn't say a word." I answered quickly. Truthfully, I had no idea why I was protecting my traitor of a brother.

Our dad sighed and nodded. "Just as well. I will tell the agency to cancel the upcoming events until Joe's nose is healed."

He walked off, concern showing brightly in his eyes.

"Boys, where is Nick?" Mom asked her eyes wide with what I thought to be fear. My heart clenched in my throat. How could I possibly tell our mom that Nick left with the gang after I almost killed him and he was the one responsible for this? To say that would ultimately be the end of Kevin's and my beautiful lie we spun about being a happy trio of brothers.

But we were saved from answering when the front door opened and closed. Macy squeaked and moved away as she saw who it was. I craned my neck, and Kevin did as well, wanting to see, though we already knew, who came to call.

"Nick, honey, I am so glad you aren't hurt!"


NICK'S POV

I gazed at the door to my home, wondering what horror lay on the other side tonight. I turned back and saw four figures watching me, gesturing for me to continue. I shot them a thumbs up and heard their low whispers.

"Do you think it is right to let him return to the ones that nearly killed him?" Omega quietly questioned.

Raven's response could have just been the whisper of the wind. "Yes. He can take care of himself and too many questions will arise if he does not."

I took a deep breath and laid my hand on the cold doorknob, knowing that my homecoming would bring the same temperature. Dread shifted in the shadow depths of my heart, making it more difficult than it should have been to turn a simple handle, to take three steps, to go home. Though my heart denied it, my mind's will was stronger and I opened the door and took the hardest three steps in my life.

"Nick, honey, I am so glad you aren't hurt!"

My mom gushed, engulfing me in a hug I did not expect. So, my brother's did not rat me out. That can mean one of two things; they are protecting me or they want to get their own revenge later. The last one was more likely. Joe and Kevin never cared enough about me to protect me and if my actions did not anger them, then they would not be the ones I call my brothers. But if the tried, they were in for a surprise. Raven was right; I can take care of myself now. She gave me the courage to do just that and I would no longer be a rug to walk on.

My mom released me and I feigned curiosity and ignorance, making my voice skeptical. "Why would I be hurt?"

My mom sighed and backed away and I finally saw the mess I left Joe and Kevin in. I had to fight to hold down a smile and it was even harder to force shock and sympathy onto my face and in my eyes.

"What happened?"I all but screamed, putting everything into making this act perfect. Kevin refused to meet my gaze and Joe glared daggers, all of which were missed by my mom and Macy, who walked into another room, obviously expecting us to share a brother to brother moment. Yeah right.

"Like you don't know." Joe's response came. His voice was cold and low and before, it would have sent shivers down my spine, but today, it brought a smirk to my face.

"You are right Joseph. I do know. And I enjoyed every moment of my sweet revenge." I whispered, my voice echoing with icy happiness. Kevin shivered and Joe lost his mad demeanor. They both gazed at me as if I where a stranger, and to them, I was. I even was one to myself. No more would Nick Lucas sit on the sidelines and be walked over and pulled apart at the seams. I grew out of that and adapted, 17 years too late.

Kevin finally looked at me and winced from the raw emotions of joy and anger my eyes held. "Nick…" He began, but Joe cut him off.

"You little brat. And to think I was sorry about almost killing you. Now I just wished I did it when I had the chance!" His words held the spark that leapt from his tongue to the dry weeds of my heart, instantly starting a blaze. My fingers balled into a fist and Kevin eyed my hand warily. But I did not strike, but smiled, letting my meaning flow without words.

Joe stiffened as he looked into my murderous gaze and Kevin looked away. "My life is too precious to be lost." I whispered, my words holding a hidden meaning. "Yours on the other hand…" I trailed off, letting the threat hang in the chilled air. Kevin looked at me, startled. Joe suddenly found the back of his hand interesting.

I turned away after one last death glare and walked upstairs alone. When I was up there, I went t a window and saw my new family watching, waiting to see if I was ok. I motioned to them and gave a low whistle. The answered it with a high one and ran off, the shadows of the night engulfing them like prey.


JOE'S POV

I was hardly aware of what I was doing the next day. My first hour class went by amazing slowly and my mind was having a little and thankfully unnoticed battle. The voices in my head sounded quite different. One was of a military commander and one was the one I used in front of cameras, the nice and sweet one that fans loved.

Alright Joe, he may be your brother, but would a brother, especially your punching bag, get away with what he did to you? I think not. Now soldier, go out there and take your revenge!

No Joe, don't do it! He is your brother and this was only natural. You ruined his life and now he is taking his revenge. Yes it is wrong and violence never solves these problems, but he acted on the one thing that he knew; fighting. You taught him that for pain of his own beatings came from you.

Joseph Lucas! Shape up. No brother of yours gets away with something like this! He broke your perfect nose! He punched and kicked you in the gut, almost bruising a rib! He had you beaten and knocked out. Are you gonna take that with a hug or are you gonna show him what Joe Lucas is made of?!?

"Mr. Lucas!" My teacher yelled and I finally jolted out of my attention hogging thoughts. Shoot.

"Yes Mr. Larson?" I dared ask. My teacher scowled at me.

"Pay attention Mr. Lucas. You may be a rockstar, but you may NOT slack in MY class! Understood?" he steamed.

"Yes sir." I answered, both sorry and not.

I walked out of class, thirty minutes later and Kevin joined me. Macy stood, gazing through the atrium windows, at something or someone unseen. We walked over to her and gasped.

What is it about fear and shock that takes over every aspect of your mind and stills your body, making thinking and moving an impossibility? I can handle the pounding of a frantic heart that fear wrought, but the immobility that shock brings drags my limited sanity into darkness.

I gazed at the five through the windows, all by Nick's locker, all laughing and carrying bags, and all brought back memories of last night. Four guys, including Nick and one girl. Omega, Scythe, Raven and Shadow, all in the Horris Mantis uniform, all standing like they belonged here and all smiling like idiots. I suddenly knew why Macy was so scared.

Kevin and I ran around the corner and stopped a few feet away from Nick, standing and glaring at the group. Nick's back was to us but as soon as our gaze reached him, he stiffened and turned to look at us with a gaze I could not read. The group around him all looked at us curiously, gazes shifting between us and Nick. Raven stepped forwards, her hand extended, and a pleasant smile on her face.

"Hi, I am Ali, my brothers and I am new here." I glared at her, noting how her smile faltered and she withdrew her hand as if stung.

"Hey, buddy. I don't care who you think you are but what is with the cold shoulder to my sister?" Scythe asked, not meanly, but not warmly either.

Anger flared in my heart. How dare this mongrel speak to me like that, after what he did to Kevin and me! I balled my hands into fists and before I knew what I was doing my fist was cutting through the air towards the guys face.

But it never hit its target. Nick's hand shot from nowhere, grabbing and stopping my own fist, inches before it made contact. Scythe's face was one of surprise and fear. He stepped back, his sister and brothers forcing him behind him. Fear and shock froze their faces and I began to wonder if they were acting or just had a creepy likeness of those that attacked us last night.

I finally looked into Nick's face and bit down a flinch. His eyes were filled with controlled rage and his face was calm, which made the effect a whole lot scarier.

"Joe, Kevin. This is Ali, Jaden, Ethan and the one you almost hit is Caden. They are new here and I am their guide." Though his voice held no warning, his eyes clearly told me that if I didn't leave now, I would be very sorry later. But when was I ever one to be afraid of my punching bag of a brother? Oh, that's right, when he totally kicked the snot out of you last night. But in a fair fight, one on one…

I left the thought at that, ignoring the growing sense of wrong it brought. My little brother deserved punishment for last night and I didn't care how bad it made me feel, I was going to do it.

"So guys, I am sorry about that. You remind me of the gang around here, the Fallen. You see, they beat Kevin and me up pretty badly last night, broke my nose and knocked us out. Do the names Omega, Raven, Scythe, Shadow and Titan ring any bells?"

I watched their body language carefully. Nick gave nothing away, as he finally let go of my fist and pulled down his rolled up sleeve. The boys had no expression on their faces and Raven/Ali smiled. She walked up to me and went on her tip toes so she was whispering into my ear.

"Listen here Lucas. If you harm another hair on Nick's head, I will see to it personally that you will be more broken than your nose." She stepped away, smiling sweetly.

Nick gestured to them, and they all followed. Looking over their shoulders and sending us a silent death threat with their eyes. I willed my heart to not accept the fear at its door, but it was nigh impossible to hold back the shock.


MACY'S POV

School was finally over. It dragged on, slower than any snail could have gone, and all the while my confused heart spat up jumbled thoughts and charismatic insults. Macy, he is changed now, let him go. But my heart would not listen to the logic of my head. I walked into another hallway, not wanting to go home, when I stopped, as dead as my heart felt.

I saw him, hand in hers, lips on hers, alone in the hall of the school.

My heart screamed an unheard cry and its fire died casting my soul into a frozen winter wasteland. My breath stopped in my chest, willing my heart to stop for reasons denied. My mind spat insults that caught on the tip of my tongues, trapped behind my sealed lips.

Why her? I was the one who loved him, the one who gave him everything. But he still chose her, the girl who will bring him nothing but heart ache. He was her flavor of the week. She didn't deserve his kindness or his vast am amounts of love; she deserved the fiery pit that lay deep within the earth's crust.

I willed my feet to step back, slowly and soundless to vanish in the shadows, but it was as if my shoes turned into cement, making movement nigh impossible.

My hearts screams turned into silent weeping as I watched the scene before me, realizing her would never have me; his best friend. He would never see what is best for him. But right now, the jealous and heart broken wreck that stood in my shoes didn't even know what was best for herself.


RAVEN'S POV

I walked over to Nick after the last bell, wondering to see if he would return home quickly, or if he was willing to delay.

"Hey Ali." He said, not even looking up. I loved it how he could tell a person from another just by the sounds of their footsteps.

"Hey Nick. I really appreciated you showing us around school today and saving Caden's face. That was really brave to stand up to your brothers like that." I stated, keeping up the act in case anyone could be listening. He smirked.

"It's not a problem. I know you would and have done the same for me Raven." He said, after sweeping the empty halls with his deep chocolate brown eyes. "Besides, it is the least I can do."

I looked at him as he pulled another notebook from his locker and into his bag. "How can you stand the homework? I mean that language arts assignment on love is pointless and juvenile. No one should have to spill their deepest feelings to the teacher."

Nick nodded and closed his locked, walking in front of me. "Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up."

I looked at him and understood immediately. I reached for his hand and warmth spread through my fingers as his enclosed around mine, his amazing eyes filling my vision.

"When you look me in the eyes, I catch a glimpse of heaven." I quoted softly. His eyes sparkled in amusement and his beautiful voice filled the echoing hall.

"Gonna tell you that I love you, in the best way that I can. I can't take a day without you here; you're the light that makes my darkness disappear."

I smiled as he softly brushed my cheek with his velvet hand. Never before has a guy paid enough attention to me to catch my attention, or for me to catch heart fluttered at his touch, a smile formed on my face and my cheeks grew hot as they blushed and I never wanted him to move his hand. Is this love?

Nick leaned in hesitantly, and closed his eyes as he closed the distance, pressing his soft lips gently against mine.


Koutai: Ugh this chapter sucks. Huh……explanations to questions of last chapter's reviews will be explained next chapter, I promise. And next chapter will be epic…with more fights…yeah…Until next update.

Wars can be of many and all sizes and causes. Whether of love, infatuation, heartache or sibling rivalry, all are important and none should be taken lightly. And, in more ways than one, wars form within wars, inside thoughts and hearts, confusing the struggle and blocking the fighter's goal from view. Take the time to ask yourself, what are you fighting for?