Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews! I appreciate the comments/opinions and I'm glad people like this fic! And those of you who read Underneath the Surface, don't worry, I haven't forgotten about it.

WARNING: Yaoi in the near future. If you are in some way disturbed or you don't like yaoi please turn back now. People who will flame me because of this will be laughed at. And there will be some Out of Character because of plot purposes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. It belongs to its respectable owners, Squarenix and Disney. The main idea came from Hana Yori Dango, which belongs to Yoko Kamio.

If words within the quotes are like this then that means it's a foreign language.

Flashback.

Sora's Thoughts.

Enigma

Chapter 2: Past Better Left Forgotten and the War Begins

"That is my declaration of war!" Sora exclaimed.

Everyone was silent. It was as if time had stopped. The E5 were so shocked that they were speechless. No one had ever stood up to them. Then here comes a second year sixteen-year-old declaring war to them. They were upper-classmen for goodness sake, and they were the powerful E5. This was outrageous and unheard of.

Sora was just standing there waiting for at least one of them to say something. When he realized they will be in this state for a while he turned around and left calmly. It was a mystery to see him so calm since he was actually shaking inside. Everyone knew what happened to people who got the red tag because almost everyone in Yume Academy participates in the act of bulling. The E5 were that influential and powerful.

After the disappearance of Sora one of the E5 finally said something. "Did that second-year just..." Sepheroth trailed off. He wasn't sure if that really happened or not. He was amused yes, but he was also baffled.

"...Threw water at us as his sign of war." Cloud continued for him.

"This is annoying. I'm wet and some kid just got away with it." Gippal growled.

"We're all wet Gippal. Stop complaining." Riku stated.

"I wasn't complaining!" Gippal retorted.

"Right. Sure, you weren't." Riku sarcastically said.

"Why you little..."

"Enough! Your bickering is giving me headache... As for Sora, he's going to regret ever being born." Sepheroth sneered.

"What do you have in mind?" Gippal inquired.

"...I don't really know. The usual I guess. It always works." Sepheroth shrugged. If this were an anime every single one of them would have a sweat drop and fallen off their seat. (A/N: I know that's very out of character for Sepheroth, but I couldn't resist)

"Brother, there are times when I question how your mind functions," Riku sighed

"What did you say?" Sepheroth asked.

"Nothing...Squall, you haven't said a word ever since this all started." Riku was quite shocked. Squall was usually stoic and emotionless. The only person that could make him react was Cloud and his old-girlfriend, Rinoa. Then suddenly, some random stranger (Sora) can cause him to show what he was actually feeling at that moment. Riku saw how he tensed up and when he looked at him, he saw amusement written all over his face. It's not like Squall to show his feelings.

"There's nothing to say." He left it at that.

Meanwhile, in a bus stop close to the school sat an uneasy Sora. He didn't have time for all this nonsense. Life for him is hard as it is. Having to take care of himself, paying his half for the bills, keeping his job, and schoolwork is more than enough. Now, he has another thing to be worried about.

Sora was abandoned when he was only fourteen. His father got his mother pregnant and he didn't take responsibility. Meaning, his dad left his mother and to this day he doesn't know who the mystery man is. It's not like Sora cares about him anyways because he never knew who he was. His mother though, that's a different story. It's a lot more tragic than anyone could handle, but like everything else, Sora was a special case.

Asaki Kashino was the one who gave Sora his life. She was a very beautiful woman. Always full of life, laughter, kindness, and love. Everyone who had ever crossed paths with her loved her. It was hard not to like her for she was truly kind. It wasn't just an act either. And Sora loved her with every fiber of his being. The two of them lived happily in a two-bedroom apartment in the middle-class side of the town. She always worked so hard for the both of them. Tuition was never a problem since they take Sora in for free, so instead of paying tuition, she paid tutors for extra classes for Sora. It started from foreign language to music to drama to martial arts. Asaki wasn't a slave driver mind you, she knew her son always loved challenges, and so she let him take those classes. Sora was always grateful for that.

Sora was sweet, kind, innocent, friendly, and most of all he was cheerful. Most people say he was the exact replicate of his mother and he was always happy when they say that. However, that Sora was left in the past. It all started on his fourteenth birthday, January 29...

A fourteen-year-old Sora was on his way home from his best friend's house, Tidus. He threw a party for him and he thought his mother was going to be there. Surprisingly, she didn't grace them with her presence. He was quite upset, but he didn't show it. Instead, he tried to have fun and with Tidus around it wasn't hard to do so. Sora thought his mother was at home baking him cake and cooking all his favorite dishes for him. So, when he gets home the two of them will celebrate together, like a family. He thought wrong...

"I'm home!"

The usual "welcome home, Sora" wasn't said. Sora looked around his apartment and he couldn't find his mother anywhere. He was upset. What if his mother was going over-time in her work and forgot that it was his birthday? Or what if there was an accident and she's fighting for her life at this very minute? Sora's imagination was going wild and kept on thinking on what ifs. Then he realized it was no use and just waited patiently on the couch...

Seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours. Sora was getting worried. He figured something horrible happened to his mother. He was about to call the police and report his missing mother. But then the phone rang.

"Hello, mom! Is that you please tell me it's you!" Sora exclaimed.

"My dear Sora I am sorry that I wasn't able to be there today. Something came up."

"But you're okay, right? Nothing bad happened to you or anything," Sora said with worry in his voice.

"I'm okay, nothing bad happened. Although, I can't say the same thing for you..." Sora could hear the sadness in her voice.

"What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine," confusion was etched in his adorable face.

"You won't be once I tell you what... came up."

"Mom, you're scaring me..."

"...Mom?"

"...I won't be coming home anytime soon, Sora"

"I kind of figured since something 'came up' and all. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow then."

"Sora, I won't be there tomorrow or the next day or the day after that"

"What...what are you trying to say?"

"You can take care of yourself now. My job is finished. Your Uncle Auron will be coming there for you tomorrow. I...I am sorry. This is what I have to do, or I'll lose you too. Be safe, my son... I love you." Then she hung up. So, that her beloved Sora wouldn't hear her cry.

That unfortunate day changed his life. Asaki's son was felt betrayed and so ...broken. For a while Sora wouldn't talk. He would just stare out the window hoping he would see his mother. He didn't know what happened. Auron wouldn't tell him anything either. Sora only asked him once and he said he didn't know. Prying only leads to arguments and so he didn't bother saying anything else about the matter. He figured his already broken heart would only shatter into millions of pieces if he found out the truth. So, he didn't want to know, and the memory of his mother was pushed back into his mind. He didn't dare reminisce about the past. Sometimes, it will come to him randomly but every time it did, he tried to forget. That's the only way Sora knew how to keep his sanity.

"Hey, kid. Are you getting in or not?" An annoyed bus driver called out to him.

"Oh, right. Sorry about that, sir," Sora gave him an apologetic look and the bus driver just nodded at him.

Before Sora knew it, he arrived at his Uncle Auron's condo. "I'm back!" he called. Figures, his guardian wouldn't be there. He was usually at his dojo until sun down or sometimes he was just out doing God knows what. He didn't bother asking since he really doesn't want to know about his personal life. The two were pretty close though. Ever since Sora could remember his Uncle Auron was always there for him. Teaching him martial arts, visiting him and Asaki and having man-to-man talks (more like Sora babbling and Auron just nodding or give a brief response). Asaki really isn't his sister, but she insisted for Sora to call him 'uncle'. Sometimes, Sora wondered if they were more than just friends or if they were past lovers, but he never voiced his thoughts.

As much as Sora felt comfortable with him, he couldn't bare asking him for money or material things. He didn't want to be a burden and so he started paying for his share. Auron argued with him, but the older man caved in after a while and for Sora to do that he got a job at the fancy and famous restaurant Tidus' father owns. It was actually Jecht himself who hired him even though he was only fifteen at the time. He had been a waiter in Final Destiny, the formal restaurant, for about a year now.

The minute he walked through the door he ran to the bathroom, took a shower trying to get all the gel in his hair out. Afterwards he pulled his hair back into a low ponytail and shorter strands of hair framed his face beautifully. The black and white uniform that he wore changed into a sky blue dress shirt that clung to him and white formal pants that showed off his cute butt. He looked like a sex-god and much more mature. He went from adorable to drop-dead gorgeous. Most of the women flirt with him shamelessly. Aerith, a waitress and his friend, usually helps him out and Sora in turn does the same for her. Since most men hits on the beautiful Aerith. He hates trying to look nice for other people but he had to be formal since he does work in a five-star restaurant. Sometimes, he wonders why he works there.

After a while he arrived at Final Destiny at exactly 5:00. He was always punctual. The moment he entered the sweet aroma of different kinds of wonderful dishes filled his nose. He looked around and noticed everything is as it should be. Every round table was covered with red satin sheets and every rectangular table was covered with black satin sheets. Different kinds of fork were at the left side and different kinds of spoon were placed on the right side of the gold and white plates. The lights were a bit dimmed in certain parts and really bright in other parts. It blended quite nicely.

Work was uneventful. Nothing remotely exciting happened. He just got annoyed trying to smile and be polite when all he wanted was to go home and plan on his so-called 'war' with the E5. Or should he say his 'war' with the whole school. The only good thing was the teacher never side with the E5 nor do they try to stop them. In short they were cowards. It's not like they can do anything either.

"Hey, buddy! You all right? It's almost closing time and you're not jumping up and down with happiness." A handsome young man on his late teens with long brown hair asked Sora.

"...Yeah Irvine I'm perfectly fine." he sighed. Except for the fact that it's me against the whole school. What was I thinking?

"You don't look fine to me. Now, c'mon, tell your incredibly good-looking friend slash co-worker your problem...You'll never know I might just be able to help you. Especially if it's about girls," Irvine suggested.

"It's not about girls Irvine. Some of us don't think about that all the time...Besides no one will be able to help me, or is it no one will be willing to help me." Sora sadly said.

"Try me." Sora looked at Irvine and decided to just tell him the whole thing. He told him everything from how much of an ass the E5 were to how Wakka fell down the stairs to how he threw water at the E5 by declaring war.

"Never thought you had it in you, Sora. I'm impressed...And since you're my friend I've decided I'll help you in any way possible." Irvine told Sora. The younger boy smiled at him.

"I appreciate it Irvine. Although I don't think there's anything you can do since we go to different schools. Oh, well..." Sora sighed once again.

"I guess you're right, but that doesn't mean I can't help in some way...Even if I can't help, you'll have my support and if they go to far, Tidus and I will make them suffer slowly" Irvine said seriously. He is over-protective over Sora. Ever since he found out everything the boy has been through, he couldn't help but be like an over-protective older brother to him.

"Thanks...I guess."

"Need a lift?" he asked.

"Yeah, thanks." Irvine only nodded in return.

Once the blue-eyed wonder returned to the condo he found Auron waiting for him on the couch as usual. Sora works from 5:00 to 10:00 and most of the time he stays after to help clean up. His Uncle Auron would always wait for him just to make sure that he arrives safe and sound.

No words were passed between the two. Sora was too tired and Auron was never really talkative. The two looked at each other in a silent communication. Then Auron got up and went to his room right across from Sora's, and the boy followed him going to the door opposite to the one Auron disappeared from.

Sora walked into his room, changed his clothes, brushed his teeth, and flopped down on his bed. Without missing a beat his already tired eyes closed feeling sleep coming over him.

The brunette wouldn't wake up with the sound of his alarm clock. It seems the irritating sound the alarm was making didn't even faze Sora's slumber. He just kept on sleeping until someone came into his room, carried him, dropped him on the bath tub, and cold water was spraying all over Sora. That action caused a piercing scream to erupt from Sora.

"Thanks for the wake up call Uncle Auron," Sora said in an annoyed tone. His uncle could be so mean sometimes.

Said uncle just smirked and uttered, "Hurry up or you'll miss the bus." and with that he left the boy alone so he could shower.

After getting ready for school and eating a hearty breakfast made by Auron. Sora took off and waited the bus to come. Thirty minutes have passed and the bus still wasn't there. He waited a bit more and noticed that it was already 7:15. His first period already started without him. He never bothered his uncle for rides but he can't miss school so, he just swallowed his pride and asked Auron the inevitable. His uncle knew this would come someday, but the weird thing is Sora was earlier than the bus schedule. So, how did he miss it?

Auron didn't bother asking and just dropped Sora to school, which was a fifteen-minute drive from their place. By now it was already 7:40. Sora didn't waste anymore time and he sprint all the way to Ms. Matron's class. He was breathing hard and let his lungs catch up with him before he opened door. He had a feeling the E5 had something to do with this. So, he didn't want to give them any kind of satisfaction. Once his breathing was back to normal he opened the door. Everything was suddenly quiet and Edea looked at him with disappointment. Suddenly, he remembered their conversation yesterday. Sora couldn't help but be disappointed with himself. He did tell her that he wouldn't let her down. It seems he already did.

"Mr. Kashino, how very nice of you to finally join us," she said coldly. "Don't just stand there go to your desk, and Kashino I expect to see you after school at 3 o'clock sharp. You'll be here an extra hour for detention."

"But..."

"No exceptions, now go to your seat" Edea said.

Sora didn't miss the smug expressions the E5 had. Why oh why do I have five classes with them? Once he was at his destination he frowned seeing that his desks were full of gross things he didn't even want to know what they were. It gave off a bad odor too.

"Ms.Matron," Sora called.

"What is it Kashino? Why are you still standing there wasting class time." she said with annoyance traced on her voice.

"It's just that my desk is full of...um..." he trailed off. He really didn't know what they were. He was afraid to find out. The rest of the class was amused. Except for one person, the person who should be the one in this current situation, but was saved by his friend. And what does he do? He submit to the E5 just like everybody else because he was...afraid.

Edea came to him and she too frowned at what she saw. They didn't know what they were either, but she was sure those things would only cause trouble for the person who will sit there. She didn't know why someone would do that to Sora. She's new so she doesn't know about the antics the E5 pulls. "Sora go find the janitor and ask him to come here and take this...repulsive desk away. And also, tell him to bring in a new one."

Sora only nodded and stalked out of the class carrying his belongings with him. He didn't trust anyone at this school anymore. Not even Wakka or Selphie. He wasn't sure if they would even talk to him

He found the janitor at long last and the problem was fixed except for the fact that everyone still hates him with reasons unbeknownst to him. First period through third period went by fast. They had a ten minute break and so he decided to go to his locker since he didn't have a chance this morning and his back was killing him.Too many any stuff to carry.

Once he arrived at his destination he ignored everyone's looks of disdain towards him. Sora was annoyed yes, but it's not like he can do anything about it. Oh well it's not like looks can kill me. The moment he opened his locker he regretted it. Because once it was open some kind of liquid was released and it traveled to his expensive uniform. He was drenched. It didn't help that the liquid has extremely bad odor coming from it.

"You really should take a shower in the morning Sora." A voice from behind him said.

When he truned around he found the subject of his hatred. His shocked look from the random liquid became a scowl and he glared at none other than Sepheroth and Gippal since there was only the two of them. Where's the other three anyway? Not like I care or anything. Sora wanted to yell profanities at him, but decided not to do so. He knew they just wanted a rise out of him, and Sora wasn't going to give them the satisfaction he knew they wanted.

Instead he turned around and walked away calmly. As if nothing out of the ordinary happened. In the corner of his eye he saw Sepheroth's and Gippal's smirk turn into a scowl. Sora smirked at that and for a brief moment he couldn't smell the bad odor. Then that moment came to a sudden end. Ah! I reek! And I don't have any extra clothes. Wait, I know my P.E. uniform. With that thought in mind Sora rushed to the P.E. locker rooms only to find that his P.E. uniform was also a mess. This time though, there weren't any odor it's just cut up into pieces. He would've worn it except his shorts have a huge whole on where his prize possession would go.

In his frustration Sora stomped away and went to his favorite spot in the whole entire school... the emergency exit in the west wing on the second floor. No one is ever there, so Sora usually goes there when he needs to think or vent out any frustration and right now he needed that place. Once he entered he flew into the stair railing and yelled as loud as he could, "Stuck up elitist fools! I hope you all die from overindulgence!"

Heavy breathing was soon followed by that outburst. Sora was beyond annoyed and mad combined. It was only his first day with this 'war' and everything is not going into his favor.

With his expensive uniform and P.E. clothes ruined he would have to pay for an extra one. It's not like the school is going to give him another one for free. They would ask what happened and it's not like he could lie to them about it. Sora Kashino is not a tattletale. Not to mention that he has detention with a teacher that expected him to do extremely well. This is just not his day.

When Sora's breathing was back to normal. He left the emergency exit and his angry expression went to an indifferent one. With his emotions going out of wack he didn't notice three gorgeous looking men sitting on the stairs where the emergency exit resides. Their amused expressions were easily seen.

Author's Note: I don't know how you would like Sora's hair the way I described it when he was getting ready to go to the restaurant. So, if any of you have any ideas on how Sora could look a bit different and coughsexycough. Not that he isn't already. I assure you he is. I just need him to look different for something or other. Oh, and if you have any pranks in mind share some of them with me. I won't do it to other people. I promise. I just need some ideas on how Sora could get back at the E5 or how the E5 could make Sora suffer a bit. I don't really want Sora to suffer, but... Tell me what you think of this chapter and constructive criticism is always welcome.