(A/N) This story was written about two years ago and has not been proofread, so expect grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and the whole jest of it. I 'would' edit it, but if I did I don't think I'll have time to edit my other stories before my last school year begins. Another reason why I'm not editing this is because this story was written when I was going through a hard phase of depression; therefore I wrote it with a whole lot of emotion and negativity. I don't plan to revise it again, so I hope you understand my decision...

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The Lone Wolf's Burden

CHAPTER 4

By flipstahhz

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I folded my arms together.

In rage, Taichi pulled the earphones, which continued to play loud music, from my ears.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY! GET OFF THE BUS YAMATO!" he roared, " WE'LL BE LATE!"

"And you think I care?" I shot back.

Seriously, I didn't really care if he had to wait for me to get off. It was his problem. This is what I wanted…and I wasn't going to move. It was his turn to understand what I went through everyday. It was his turn to realise that life wasn't perfect. It was his turn to realise not everything was happy and that we don't live in a fairy tale reality.

In pure irritation he pushed me off the seat, leaving me to fall in the floor. Furiously, I pushed him back. His face slammed into the window.

"Matt! Stop it," a small voice interrupted our socializing (a/n aha…socializing…I guess I couldn't help but put that word there)

My fist, which was about to punch Taichi on the jaw, paused. I had suspected that it would have been the camp co-ordinator which would stop me from doing so…but it was Takeru…my own brother who was showing me the difference between right and wrong. Shrugging, I snatched my bag and tossed it over my shoulder, stuffed the MD and the earphones (which were now on the floor) in my pockets and followed after the person that shared my blood.

I felt Taichi's startled eyes of confusion following after me, but didn't bother to turn around and ask 'why the hell are you staring at me?' as I'd love too. Then again, it was best to keep silent…then you would always keep out of trouble.

As I got off the bus, Takeru tugged my arm in excitement.

"What?"

"Can you help my new friend Sora and I build a snowman Matt?" he asked with pleading eyes.

I briefly responded, " Whatever."

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I hated woodwork.

Truthfully, I almost hated everything in this camp. The group of prissy girls, the group of sporties, the dorks/ smartasses and of course not to mention the hypoactive peoples.

I belonged to none.

Takeru tried with all his will to drag me to a table where there were actually people, but I told him I wanted to sit by myself. So luckily, my wish was granted and here I was in a woodwork activity…sitting by myself on a wooden table. So I admit, I was loner. But this is how I wanted the rest of my thrilling camp to go. Very tedious indeed.

My bored eyes darted around the room. Giggles were to be heard from the prissy corner. The normal people were actually making an effort with the splintery wood where a boy called Jyo was helping Takeru. Or was it Joseph? I didn't really know. My eyes traveled to a boy whom had not touched his wood but was typing viciously fast into his laptop. Who would bring a laptop to camp? Lastly I gazed at the group with the people whom were crazy over sports. Sora, a girl from my class, which I didn't pay attention to, was the only girl there. A tomboy…the first thing shot in my head. Next to her was the same boy whom stared back with me with a cold stare…his brunette hair flipped over his face and was supported by a stupid head accessory- goggles. I rolled my eyes and tried to fascinate myself over the piece of wood that we were supposed to make photo frames…(or something like that) out of. Don't blame me…it's not my fault if I listen at class. I'm the observer after all. The person who stays in the corner. The person who hates socializing…who hates talking…who thinks life is worthless…okay, I'll shutup now.

I don't even know why I'm talking to myself. After all, talking to myself caused me to be like this. It told me what I should do…and what I shouldn't. For instance - to avoid everyone, to not show my true feelings. And all those pointers were right. Showing your true feelings is always a weakness. What's the use of telling anyone your emotions anyway? After my experiences with my old friends…all they did was laugh…or not believe me or how I truly felt. In annoyance, my pushed my fingers down onto the splintered wood and dragged my hand along it…I could feel the pain…the amounts of splinters slipping into my bare skin. This was nothing to the pain I had felt…nothing.

Unexpectedly, I let a loud curse come out and immediately the boy that was helping Takeru came up to me.

"Let me see your hand Matt…I'm Takeru's friend, Jyo, he's told me a lot about you. Now let me help."

I turned around so that I couldn't face him.

"Don't be so stubborn. I'm the one in charge here because the teacher left and told me to take this responsibly. If you get hurt, in this case you are, I'll be the one who will be blamed."

Yeah, it hurts inside, not outside … I felt like replying.

He grabbed my hands were the splinters had made its way then muttered to me, " This couldn't have possibly be a mistake. There are more than over ten splinters…are you telling me you did this intentionally?"

I shrugged.

"Don't shrug at me," Jyo commented. He acted like a mother, nursing his child…but I wasn't going to be nursed around like some amateur…I've been in more pain than this…I was being a weakling.

"Matt. You're blood from those wounds have seemed to dry so quickly. Why is that?"

For once I responded, " It's not from the splinters…it's from before."

"Before? Because they look pretty bad. You could have treated it you know…I advise you put some cream on it and it will surely heal easily."

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" I yelled as I stormed out of the woodworks house and swung the door behind me. I met the crystal white snow. The huge amounts sprinkled over my blond hair as I walked north, finding the cabin, which I was to stay in for the night.

"Come back Matt!" I heard TK yell.

I ignored the pleading voice for the first time and walked on.

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"You didn't come back," frowned TK…his eyes filling in tears.

It was only him and I that were in our cabin. The other boys were having snowball fights…freezing their little wits out…while I was smart enough to stay in the heat.

"Can we go out now…pleaseeee Matt?"

"I've told you before…and I'm not going to tell you again," I sighed then said sternly, " You'll get sick."

"So..you don't care if I'll get sick…come on! You promised."

"I don't remember promising," it was strange to even know I had a voice. I rarely spoke out my thoughts…but I couldn't ignore Takeru…as my parents and so-called friends had done to me. He was my brother…and the only person I truly cared for. I'd tried to get it away from my heart…but he was always there. Staring at me with hope in his glimmering eyes. "Okay, I'll got TK."

"This is so cool!"

He had fooled me, once again.

He wasn't sad anymore but in mere joy. I couldn't blame him. Takeru is a good actor and would always get his way…no matter the conditions.

"Then you can hang around with my new friend- Sora!"

I raised my eyebrow, " Someone else? I thought it was only going to be you and I?"

"No Matt! Don't you remember? I told you…!"

"Okay then…but only for fifteen minutes," I sighed.

There was a knock on the door. I slowly got off my bed and opened the door to find a girl with short shoulder length auburn hair and a helmet covering most of it.

"Ohh hi Matt. I'm from your class. I promised you're brother that I'd help him make a snowman…want to come?" she smiled cheerfully.

I frowned. Now I was going to stay with Ms Perfect.

I was about to disapprove but luckily for me Takeru answered my question.

"Yeah! He's coming! Matt's coming!"

"And I thought he wouldn't be…this is new. Though I can accept it." Sora beamed, " I've also found the perfect place to build a snowman!"

Takeru took my hand and we followed the girl to her sacred place where we could build the special snowman. I folded my arms and watched them do the work.

Sora came to halt, noticing that I was doing nothing then spoke to my brother, " Takeru, do you mind getting a carrot from the kitchens for the snowman's nose? I need to talk to your brother, Matt, about something."

Obeying, the little version of me ran off leaving us alone.

"What?" I asked rudely.

"The question is what's with you?" she asked back with anger, " I know you're usually like this at school, but you aren't going to ruin Takeru's Camp. Your brother's a sweet boy and you certainly can learn something from him. Why can't you loosen up and be like other people for once. You can be what you want to be like after this camp…but right now I am..and I WILL make you a real brother like model…or at least a nice person while you're here."

I gaped. No one had ever told me anything like this before. Sure Sora was different…but it was definetly a fact I had to face. I put on a artificial smile.

"Okay I'll try and be normal as you'd put oit, " I informed, " But only here."

If I wanted to make Takeru have fun…I would take risks and try to be friendly.

Not knowing what I was doing, I grabbed a snow ball and thrust it at her face. Before we knew it we were having a snowball fight. A whole bunch of people joined in, including my brother who had just come back. This time I was really smiling.

My first true grin in many years.

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