My job is to guide the youth of tomorrow and help them reach their fullest potential. Yet, when I met my newest student, there was something sad about him...something that he shouldn't have to deal with at his age. I pray that my words can reach him...for his potential may bring an end to us all.

Chapter Five: Teacher & Student

" Hello, is anyone there?" asked Mina in the teacher's office calmly, " My name is Mina Murasaki, Raven's teacher."

" Yes, can I help you?"

" Oh, yes," replied Mina, " Can I speak with the parent or guardian of Raven."

" They're dead, but I can help you," answered Rain, " what seems to be the problem, Mina?"

" You see, Raven never came back to class after being sent to the clinic due to him as well as another student passing out yesterday," responded Mina seriously, " regulations state that..."

" We picked him up," said Rain softly, " is that a problem?"

" No, but..."

" What does these regulations state?"

" Raven must report into me for detention."

" Ok, is that it?"

" Yes, he can come in at..."

" Don't worry, Miss Mina Murasaki," replied Rain happily, " he'll be waiting for you."

Before Mina had the chance to tell her what time Raven needed to come in for detention, she had already hung up. Mina started thinking to herself as she sat back in her chair and looked up towards the ceiling, wondering if the person she was talking to was even a adult with such a child-like voice. As well as the fact that she said that they came to pick him up, but no one in the clinic or office said anything to her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

" Sorry for causing you SO much trouble, little brother," said Eden sadly.

" Had we known of this," responded Rain, " we might have allow you to finish the day."

In a darken room, Eden and Rain stood at one end, while Raven stood with his back turn to them at the other end, looking out the window, with the sunlight shining onto him.

" What is a detention?" asked Raven.

" Why don't you ask your teacher," responded the two softly.

Raven slightly turn his head towards them with a cautious look on his face. While both Eden and Rain stared back at him with a big grin on their faces.

" Very well," said Raven politely, " then I'll be going."

He started walking out the door, when Eden said something to him and it made him glance at her for a moment.

" SHE won't be there..."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Saint Lady High - - - 4:45pm

' 15 more minutes,' thought Mina to herself as she finish grading some assignments, ' he does know that he has detention, right?'

As she got to the last paper, she heard a knock on her classroom door. She got up and walked to the door and opened it, with Raven waiting in the hallway with a calm expression on his face.

" What is detention?" he asked curiously, " for my sisters won't tell til I ask you."

Suddenly, Mina became puzzled as she step to the side to let Raven in. As he went in and sat in the desk in the middle, Mina walk towards her desk and sat on top of it.

" You don't know what detention is?" asked the puzzled Mina, " Seriously?"

Raven shook his head, seemingly waiting for her to tell him. Mina started giggling at the thought of a 12th grader not even knowing nor hearing about detention, while Raven continued waiting patiently for an answer.

" What is so funny?" he asked calmly

" You," giggled Mina happily.

Raven started to crack a smile, before forcing himself to laugh.

" Now, why are you laughing?"

" Shouldn't I laugh," replied Raven, who quickly stopped laughing, " if you said I was funny."

Mina became more confused by Raven, who she couldn't tell if he was acting around or really was naive.

" Well, Raven," responded Mina as she jump off her desk, " detention is a punishment for students, who don't follow the rules."

" I see,"

" So, your punishment is an hour detention with me."

" I'm sorry"

' Sorry?' thought Mina as she notice a sad expression on his face.

" I promise to follow the rules next time."

Mina kept looking at his face as she went to her teacher's chair and could see his sincerity in his words.

" It's alright," answered Mina happily, " I use to get detention all the time when I was your age."

" But you're five years older than me," responded Raven calmly, " it wasn't that long ago."

Mina is shocked at how Raven knew how old she was and just smile, while Raven looked at her with a curious expression.

Saint Lady High - - - 5:22pm

" Raven, can I ask you something?"

Raven, who was asleep on the desk, awoke to Mina, who was looking right at him from across her desk.

" I asked everyone yesterday to write about themselves as well as their families to report to the class."

" I...see"

" I'll accept it now," responded Mina curiously, " if you do it now."

Raven got up off the desk and stared at her, before nodding his tired head.

" I don't have any paper, though"

" It's alright," said Mina, " I'll ask you question."

" Fine..."

" Here is the first question," replied Mina calmly, " How many people are in your family?"

" Three," answered Raven, " me and my two older sisters."

" Where are your parents?"

" What are parents?"

Mina once again becomes puzzled, but this time with a bit of sadness hidden within.

" Parents are the ones that gave birth to you," responded Mina sadly, " you know, the ones that raise you."

Raven's eyes widen at her words as he started to hear voices in his head.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

" You make me SICK!"

" Mama, but it's true,"

" Shut up"

Suddenly, a women with long silver hair struck the little boy to the ground, while other children and adults laughed.

" I saw my death..." murmured the little boy, who eyes began to cry, " by someone's hands."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Raven became sadden as he shook his head.

" Then I had no parents," answered Raven sadly.

Mina couldn't help, but feel guilty about bringing up what seem to be an obvious sore subject, while also thinking how much of a coincidence it is that both of the Wong siblings as well as Cleo said and reacted the same way.

" I'm sorry for upsetting you," responded Mina, " we don't have to continue."

" Why?"

" You were sad just a minute ago."

" But I'm not anymore," he replied as his sadden eyes stare at her.

" What are your hopes and dreams?"

Suddenly, Raven smile as he looked towards the window and saw a flock of birds fly by.

" Freedom."

' Freedom?' thought Mina to herself.

" Unlike you," said Raven calmly as he turn to face Mina, " I have never known the pleasures of freedom."

" But why?"

Raven got out of his seat and started approaching Mina, who started to become frighten. As Raven stood in front of her desk, he leaned forward, making Mina back away in fright.

' What is he doing?' thought Mina as Raven begun to walk around her desk.

" Can you teach me freedom?" he asked softly as he bent down in front of her, " Miss Mina Murasaki..."

Before Mina could say a word, Raven kissed her on the lips, making Mina's chair slide back and hit the wall. With nowhere else for Mina to go, Raven slowly moved forward, continuing to keep his lips pressed against hers.

' Raven...' thought the scared Mina, ' stop it now...'

' I am sorry, Miss Mina,' he responded calmly, ' for my rudeness.'

Raven backed away as Mina looked on in a shocked state. She placed her middle and index finger on her lips and couldn't believe what just happened. Raven begun to walk away, his hands in his pockets as he approached the window.

' Just now,' said the scared Mina, ' I heard him.'

" At that moment," he said as he sat next to the window, " you were like me..."

Saint Lady High - - - 5:38pm

' He has been looking out the window all this time,' thought Mina curiously.

Mina got up from her chair and cautiously approached Raven, who continued looking out the window with a smile on his face.

" You can get in a lot of trouble for what you pull earlier, Raven" said Mina seriously.

" Freedom is taken too lightly in this world," responded Raven angrily, " I have never known freedom and never will, but..."

Raven turns his head to face Mina and gives a cold stare with his piercing yellow eyes.

" I have observed your abuse of it throughout time and yet, for one moment," he exclaimed, " you were like me...why?"

Mina looks at him and smiles, puzzling him.

" You took away my freedom," responded Mina as she placed her right hand on his cheek, " yet I chose NOT to take it back."

" You chose?"

" You said you never known freedom and never will, right?"

Raven's eyes widen as Mina tries to kiss him on the lips, but he quickly backs away, making Mina laugh.

" See," responded Mina as Raven looked on with a puzzled look, " you chose to back away."

Mina looks at the clock and realizes that detention is over as Raven glances at the clock as well.

" Detention is over with, Raven," said Mina seriously, " I hope to see you tomorrow morning."

Raven walks by her and heads for the door, when Mina calls out to him.

" Your a weird guy," said Mina calmly, " and your kissing skills need work if you expect to get a girlfriend."

" Girlfriend?" responded the confused Raven.

As Raven left the classroom, Mina thought to herself about everything that just happened. Thinking whether or not to report to the principal about Raven's actions, but decided that it might be better watching him for now.

" What are the odds of him and Dawn saying the same thing..."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

" Hey, Raven"

As Raven was about to cross the street, he saw Dawn and the Wong sisters standing on the opposite side waving at him.

" We were wondering if you wanted to hang out with us and maybe work on our project," shouted Ami over the roaring engines, " if not then it's ok"

Raven thought about what Mina said as he walked across the street towards them.

" I would like that," he replied with a smile as he left with them.