A/N: Alright guys, this will be a short chapter. Just a bit of Ren and Aurora getting to know each other more, you know? Considering they ARE roommates, but have barely had time to.

Here we go!

…

Chapter Seven: Bonds

Right after the assembly, Shujin Academy had a week off for some holiday (Golden Week? Maybe? Aurora couldn't keep up with the different holidays from all the different worlds). The thieves decided to do have a celebration meal at an expensive buffet on the last day of the holiday vacation, after selling the medal, of course.

All that week, though, during the day, Aurora and Ren helped out in Lablanc. It was on the second night, however, that the two decided to go for a walk, just to explore the streets of Yongen-Jaya. It was the first chance they got where they hadn't been in the Metaverse during the day.

"It's so quiet back here, compared to Shibuya," Aurora mused.

"Seriously. A bit like my home town, really," Ren mused, looking around. "It's… comforting."

"I take it you come from a smaller town?" Aurora asked, and the boy nodded with a chuckle.

"Yeah. Tokyo is a little intimidating," he admitted. Aurora laughed.

"And that's before you add the Metaverse," she joked, causing the boy to laugh as well. It lasted only for a moment, before he looked down.

"Aurora? Why did you transfer here? I mean, if you don't mind me asking. Sojiro made it sound… bad."

"Well…" she sighed, thankful she had some acting skills. "I'm here until they finish investigating back home."

"Investigating?" Ren asked.

"About a year or so ago, I was… kidnapped, by a cult," she said. "They had taken my brother, too, five years earlier." She kept it vague. Honestly, she felt bad lying to him, but knew she couldn't exactly tell the truth. Ren's eyes were huge.

"That's why Sojiro told you to not go anywhere alone," he said. Aurora nodded.

"Yeah. And until they catch them, being here is for my protection," she explained. Ren nodded, before clasping her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said. Aurora shook her head with a small smile.

"It's okay. So, um, can I ask about you? I know you have that record for assault, but…" she trailed off as Ren scowled.

"It's complete bullshit, really," he said in a harder voice then she was used to from him. Usually, Ren was either quiet and soft spoken, or joking around. In the Metaverse, he was all business, but still had a sense of humor. But… this side of him was new. "I was walking home at night when I heard fighting. I went to check it out, and found some bastard harassing a woman. I stepped in to try to stop it, and pushed the man. He fell and slammed his head into a guard rail." Ren shook his head. "And he sued me with assault. Even got the woman in on it."

He sighed, seeming to deflate slightly. "I got arrested, expelled, and basically thrown out like trash because I tried to help someone. But you know what? I also don't regret it." He looked at Aurora. "I don't regret trying to help her, because… if I hadn't, who would have?"

"Right. That makes sense. There are just… not enough good people in this world," Aurora agreed sadly. Ren got a thoughtful look on his face.

"Well, there are good people. Just… not all of them are brave enough to stand against adversary," Ren said. Aurora thought about his words, and smiled, nodding.

"You're probably right," she said. Ren chuckled at that, before stopping in front of the second hand shop. It was still open for another half-hour, and an old T.V. seemed to catch his eyes.

"Wanna get it for our room?" he asked. Aurora grinned and pointed to an old game system.

"Only if we get that, too," she bargained.

"Deal," Ren said with a grin, and the two entered the shop.

RANK UP!

Aurora Wright

Aeon Arcana Rank 2

…

A/N: Just a short little chapter. Honestly, I feel like Ren is a lot more angry then he shows in the game OR the anime at his situation. He IS just, what, 15, 16 at this point? Who WOULDN'T be angry…

So, I plan on showing that through out the story!