Ventus woke up earlier the following day. As careful and silent as he could be, the youngest of the twins got up and left his bed, going to the bathroom with an empty paper bag in hand.

His family had always kept first aid kits around. The twins got hurt so very often when they were little that they used it almost every week. What he was going to get, however, was not for him neither for Roxas.

Ventus put an ointment, antibiotics and a sterile gauze compress in the bag. He also added an antibacterial soap along with some elastic bandage. Perhaps he was exaggerating, but he'd rather guarantee Vanitas had everything if he needed.

The boy went back into his bedroom, put the bag inside his backpack and lay on the bed once again. Roxas had not even moved which was good since he'd probably ask what those were for. Of course he would end up finding out anyway, but Ven would like to postpone being reprimanded for a while longer. His disapproving gaze the day before had been more than enough.

The youngest blonde soon fell asleep again while staring at the ceiling, although feeling a little aprehensive about the day that awaited him. He was relieved for not being punched in the bathroom, but there was no denying he might suffer the consequences later. However, Vanitas did offer to help him if someone questioned his absence... Perhaps that was his way of being thankful?

At 6 o' clock, his alarm went off. Roxas, always on time, got up stretching and yawning and called his brother, going down the stairs and into the kitchen. Following their routine, the twins had breakfast together, picked up their stuff and left for school.

They didn't share any words on their way to school to Ventus's surprise. He tried to start a conversation but Roxas was apparently mad so he didn't insist on it. Was all that stress because he had arrived late for class one single day? He did understand his anger at the moment, but now?

As they reached the school's block Ventus saw Vanitas around the corner, his back against the wall while he smoked without paying attention to anything else. He was once again wearing his sweatshirt although its hood wasn't up, what was enough to surprise the younger blonde. Ventus had merely looked at him for a second though and Roxas grumbled next to him.

Perhaps arriving late yesterday hadn't exactly been the problem.

"They said Larxene likes to apply surprise tests... I wonder if she does that to ninth graders as well?" Spoke Ventus awkwardly.

"I don't know" Replied Roxas, seeing Sora in the distance and waving at him. Ventus sighed and say nothing else until classes were over.

On thursdays they had English Classes. Larxene was so inconsiderate and irritating though that not even Ienzo, the best student, liked her lessons. As soon as Aqua entered the classroom, however, everyone cheered up and forgot the boring classes they had just had.

Ven considered talking to her about what had happened and what he knew, but thought better. The two hadn't been seen and, no matter what people imagined that had happened there, he had agreed in not tellling anyone.

Vanitas was scribbling something in his notebook, sleepy. He now wore the hood up and was silent, not staring at anything besides the paper sheet, what made it harder for Ventus to talk to him directly. He'd do it during the break.

"Pay attention, everyone!" Said Aqua "In two weeks we'll have our first test of the semester. I suggest you start studying as soon as possible; we'll focus on ancient civilizations and the major differences between them. Every question will be dissertative"

The students sighed. As soon as one teacher set their test date, all of the others were bound to do it as well. After a comment or two, Aqua continued her lesson with no problems.

When class was over and the bell rang, Ventus waited a few seconds before he looked to Vanitas. He found it kind of weird that he was still there, since the raven was usually one of the first students to leave for break.

Roxas got up "Let's go, Ven" He called, waiting for him. Discouraged, Ventus stood up slowly and was following his brother when he heard Aqua call his name.

"Ventus... May I talk to you for a second?" The twins turned around "It won't take too long"

"Ahn... Sure" The boy approached her, asking his brother to go ahead while he waited next to Aqua. She took a look to the back of the classroom.

"Vanitas? Are you staying here today?"

"Yes, ma'am" He answered, laying his head over the desk. It was not uncommon to let students stay inside during their breaks, but Ventus wondered why he wanted to stay inside today.

"Would you walk with me?" Asked the woman and Ven did it, helping her with her books to the staffroom.

"Is something wrong, professor?"

"Today in the morning professor Luxord spoke of something that happened during his class... " Ventus froze "He said you left the classroom right after returning from break and only came back thirty minutes later along with Vanitas. Is this true?"

Why would Luxord talk about that? Did the teachers share their thoughts about their students during breakfast? He looked away; they obviously did. Everyone needed to know how things were during classes, but to talk about that...

"Yes, professor..."

"There's no need to feel nervous" She smiled to him with care "He just found it odd. You're a very good student, Ventus and, well... Everyone knows how Vanitas is"

"I'm sorry... It won't happen again!"

"That's not it" Aqua laughed a little, Ventus blushing "I just wanted to know if you got to talk to him. You said you had tried before... So I imagined you did the same yesterday?"

"Well, I was... Worried. He was taking long to return to the classroom every day, I wanted to know if there was something wrong"

"And was there?"

Ventus thought for a few seconds. He wanted to tell her everything. To say how Vanitas had reacted and talk about the many markings and scars he had on his back... But he couldn't. He couldn't because he had given his word that he wouldn't. It did not matter if Vanitas didn't care about him at all; he wouldn't break his promise.

"No... I think he just... Likes to flee from classes, really" He laughed unwillingly "We talked a little bit, but he didn't tell me anything"

The woman remained silent, looking to him. It was clear that Ventus was hiding something, but she wouldn't force it out of him like that.

"I see... Well, it was worth a try, right?" Her smile was comforting. It was at that moment that the boy realized he could trust in her more than in anyone else. The student nodded, relieved.

"You're a good boy, Ventus. Count on me for anything you need, alright?" She gave him a thumbs up, making him smile. He then thanked her, taking his leave and walking to the schoolyard alone.

Ventus waited the entire break sitting next to Ienzo, but Vanitas didn't leave the classroom. A bad feeling sat on his stomach; was that because of him? Perhaps the older boy was trying to avoid him and decided not to leave today. Ven only wanted to help but maybe he had done it the wrong way. Depressed, he waited for the bell to ring and returned to class.

When it was time to leave, Vanitas was the first to get up and go. Ven watched him walk away without looking back and that bad sensation from before became even worse. Once outside, the blonde couldn't avoid to at least look for him once again and since Roxas was chating excitedly with Sora he didn't pay attention to that. Ven was about to give up when he saw him in the same spot as earlier, smoking in silence. He didn't look at the three boys when they walked by.

It was hard to do it, but Ventus turned around and went to talk to him.

"Ven, where-" Began Sora but stopped when Roxas realized what his brother was doing.

Vanitas only realized the boy was there when he was right in front of him. He took the cigarette in his hand and stared at him.

"Vanitas...!" Started Ven. The older boy merely looked at him with no expression "I-"

Silence. Why was he feeling so nervous?

"You" Said Vanitas, crossing his arms. Ventus tensed up but finally managed to open his backpack and take the paper bag out of it.

"Here!" He held the bag before him, hoping Vanitas wouldn't leave him waiting like an idiot "Y-You... Use this!"

The black-haired teen blinked a few times not understanding, but he couldn't deny his curiosity so he picked the bag and opened it with no idea of what was inside. When he saw its content, Vanitas widened his eyes and turned to the boy.

"You have... To clean it with a lot of soap and then use the ointment" Continued Ventus, staring to the floor "The gauze will... Will help. You should also make a dressing on your shoulder so you can use a shirt, it'll make you feel better too"

Vanitas didn't speak. What did this boy want and why was he so bent on playing the good fellow this way? What was in it for him?!

"There's some elastic bandage as well, you can use on your arm if needed. And..." Ventus finally lifted his head and looked him straight into his eyes "I'm sorry for yesterday"

Once again that awkward silence. Vanitas waited, wanting to understand the reason behind all of that, but Ventus said nothing more and went back to Roxas' side, his head low and face red. Sora didn't say anything and even Roxas remained silent, but he knew Ventus was troubled and put a hand over his shoulder to show him support.

Vanitas watched them walk until they could no longer be seen. He didn't get it; he had given zero motives for the boy to be good to him. What left him even more confused, however, wasn't the simple fact that Ventus had given him those things.

No. What left him confused was that he felt sadness in the boy's voice.