" Soldiers assemble!" Lord Bryan yelled out over the tiny yard that held over 50 boys.

Miguel came running from behind him and joined the line that was forming. He sent a glare towards a boy that was about five boys down. He had stunning blue eyes and bright orange hair. He had the same shirt as Miguel, though it looked more proper and less dirty. He had a black belt around his waist and hunter green pants. He wore small leather slippers over his feet. His normally gentil looking face had a fat lip, a bloody line from his ear to nose and a few scraps across his arms.

As Kai stood behind Bryan and noticed this, he felt bad for Miguel. Brooklyn had a few friends that tended to take his side and help beat on Miguel. Sure it was all fun and games to them, but in someone like Kai's eyes, it was cruel. Miguel did his best to fight back, even winning sometimes but they would just keep coming back. He'd have to keep both eyes on those two. Along with Travis of course.

" We will be leaving immediatly to the camp. Grab your packs and get ready to jog. Your training begins now. We will build up your leg strengh with a nice, long sweaty run. We should warn you ahead of time that we will only break once, the halfway mark where we are to pick up one other trainee who could not make it here." Kai spoke firmly, giving himself time to scan each boy, even if it was for a meer second.

" Pack up and move out!" Bryan shouted the last command.

" But it's nearly nightime!" Someone piped up.

" Yeah! Why are we leaving now when we won't be able to see the road in an hour!" Another boy whined.

" I agree completly. I am not walking that distance and I am not walking in the dark." Brooklyn stated.

Miguel rolled his eyes and threw in a comment. " You won't be walking that distance, Brooklyn, you'll be running it. As for the dark, what's the matter? I thought rich boys were fearless. You do know that dawn comes after dusk, don't you?"

" Watch it, farmer boy." Brooklyn shot back with a glare.

" And proud of it." Miguel snapped back through clenched teeth.

" SILENCE!" Kai shouted, startling the boys. He strolled over to Brooklyn and eyed him dangerously.

" Do you know who we are?" She questioned, motioning a hand towards Bryan.

Brooklyn put on a little smirk. " A couple of morons that think they know protection?"

Kai glared at him, getting down on one knee. " A couple of your superior morons who will end up hanging you by the tallest tree if you don't follow rules."

Brooklyn blinked at him in fear, then smiled to cover it up. " You cannot do that. That is beyond your athority."

Kai leaned in, their noses almost touching. " You don't know me well enough to be jumping to that conclusion. I am the one who gives out the commands here. He," Pointing towards Bryan, " is the one in charge of making sure those orders are followed. Do you understand what that means, Brooklyn?" He leaned back.

" Ummm ... nothing?" Brooklyn responded, " It is still not part of your athority. You could get yourself hung for such actions."

Kai shrugged and got to his feet. " Oh well. I'd die happy knowing that I got rid of a spoiled little kid that doesn't know the first meaning of work." He smirked down at him and returned to Bryan's side.

" Besides, unless someone didn't inform you, we have every athority to punish soldiers who do not do as their commanders tell them." Kai added, mentally cringing at soldiers.

" Is that clear, soldiers?" Bryan shouted.

A few muttered, yes; others just nodded.

" We said is that clear? When we ask you a question, we expect to recieve a proper answer!" Kai shouted.

" Sir, yes sir!" Bryan immitated the responce.

Trying again, the two stated toghter. " Now is that clear?"

" Sir, yes sir!" They all replied with force.

Bryan smirked, folding his arms as the boys got ready for the trip. " I think they'll do well."

" Yeah." Kai's voice wasn't at all reasurring.

Bryan gave him a side glance, patting him on the shoulder. " Keep your chin up. It'll be perfectly fine. We can spend the whole time praying that they won't see the first sight of war."

Kai let out a sigh as they walked towards the carriage. " I don't think praying for hope is going to work. What we need is a miracle."

Bryan mounted a horse and Kai climbed up to the drivers seat of the supply carriage. When the boys were running, Bryan would go ahead to make sure they didn't stray off and Kai would take up the rear to insure no one was going slower then him. Basically scaring them into thinking he'd run them over if they didn't run.

" Troups! Line up! Two rows!" Bryan commanded.

They did what they were told with plenty of whining.

" Moving out!"

.:VWV:.

" Mama! Jason won't tell me where my doll is!"

" I never touched it!"

" You did too!"

" Shut up, Nikki!"

" You shut up!"

An older woman's voice stopped the bickering. " Excuse me! We do not use such language in this house! Jason, quit being such a pest and fetch her doll like a good boy."

" But I never even touched it! She's trying to frame me again!" The boy's voice echoed through the halls as Tala was dragged towards what might have been the kitchen.

" Am not! Mama, make him give it back!"

Anko was too busy laughing. She turned to Tala and pulled down on his arm so his ear was at her height. Leaning up the whisper into it, Tala was kinda confused.

" That's my son and little sister. Their always fighting. Poor Jason always gets in trouble the most. I don't think Nikki likes him very much." She smiled at him when she let go.

Tala only nodded. So, she has a family of four, but it's not really her family. She doesn't like her so-called mother and loves her not-really-her-father father. He wondered if this was making any sence to him. Not really. Wait, she has a son?

Soon, they entered the kitchen. It was small, but simple. A table for four in the center, the wood cuboards and counter surrounded the remaining wall. In one part was a large door. Tala guessed it maybe led down to a cellar or it was where they stashed canned goods.

Standing in front of the counter with a butcher knife in hand was a plump old lady with red hair. She was wearing just a plain summer dress with a white apron tied around her waist.

" MOMMY!" The boy's voice cried out and soon was paired with a body as it was latched into Anko's arms.

The boy had shaggy midnight blue hair with a cute little face. He looked around five years old and wore only a pair of brown shorts. When he pulled away and planted a kiss on her cheek, Tala saw brown eyes with so much excitement.

" How's my favorite little boy?" Anko nuzzled noses with the boy and hugged him tightly.

" Being tormented by hell's angel." He whispered; Tala heard it.

Anko chuckled and ruffled up his hair. " Well what did you do to make her mad?"

" Nothing! She's just trying to frame me and get me into trouble with Ferthy again!" Jason protested loudly.

" Am not!" A little girl yelled back.

Tala cocked his head around Anko to view a girl about eleven pulling on her long red hair in fustration. Her eyes were ruby red and blazing with hatred. She was wearing a little pink summer dress with red slippers on her feet.

" Ferthy, would you quit letting that spoiled brat of yours bug my Jason? If she doesn't stop soon, I'll personally punish her." Anko shot at the plump woman.

The woman waved the butcher knife at the girl, glare set deep in her eyes. " You should be thankful your eve-" She stopped.

Her wrist bent down, causing the knive to go low. Her gaze shifted to Tala and he resisted a flinch. Talk about digusted. Her whole facial expression showed it. Suddenly she thrust the knife forward and pointed it at him.

" You brought home another man? Anko, you little sl-"

" Mama! The children." Papa suddenly cut off, motioning to the confused children.

Nikki was smiling widely, her eyes shone with michief. " Like I haven't heard it before."

Anko shot her mother a glare. " I am not a slut thank you very much! Just because I can make a friend, unlike you, doesn't give you the right to throw it back in my face!"

The woman looked horrified. " You little skank! How dare you say such a thing to me! I give you shelter, I give you food and I take care of that idiotic boy you call a son while your off screwing on the streets!"

Papa looked really hurt. " I'm sorry, they aren't normally this bad. I'm terribly sorry you had to-"

Tala put up a hand while the two girls continued their insults. " Don't worry about it, sir. Not every house hold is perfect."

Suddenly Jason started crying, sobbing into Anko's shoulder. Tala was pretty sure he didn't know what was going on, but he didn't like the yelling. Maybe more because his mother was involved.

" Great! Now you got that thing crying! Now he'll never shut up!" Ferthy threw up her arm, knife still in hand. She must have just noticed this because she finally set it on the counter.

Papa opened his mouth to suggest maybe Tala should just leave; but stopped. Tala had taken Jason from Anko's arms and was currently craddling the boy in his arms. Anko was still shouting about, but Tala wasn't listening. Currently, his only goal was to calm down the child in his arms. The world around him fell silent and only the crying was heard.

Of course everything else was very loud, but in Tala's mind, it was silent. " Shhh. You don't have to cry. Your mom wouldn't want that. Shhh. It'll be ok. Don't cry. Just calm down. Shhh." Tala soothed and felt something roll down his own cheek.

He instantly reconized it as a tear and left it. Something about this household was really starting to tear him apart. So far, he'd resisted. However, the very second he had the boy in his arms, he just had to let that single tear go in fear of exploding.

As he continued to sooth and craddle, he noticed the crys and sobs get quieter and less often. Tala hugged the boy with a firm embrace and continued to craddle and sooth. Something flashed through his mind. No longer was he holding the shivering blue haired boy, but a small red haired infant with big brown eyes. The baby was squriming in his arms with Tala trying his best to calm him down. A second tear.

The mind-boggler ended when Jason's crys were almost silent. Tala opened the eyes he never knew he closed slowly as he continued to sooth the toodler. The boy had his own eyes closed, leaning against Tala's shoulder, thumb in mouth. Tears were streaked down his face and were slowly drying. His chest was heaving, maybe he was out of air from crying so loud. He was calm now and possibly asleep.

When Tala looked up, he was expecting to see the two still fighting, but as his mind evaporated on him, the room was silent all toghter. All eyes were on him. Gawking eyes.

Anko broke the silence. " You- you calmed him down."

She sounded surprised. That didn't make any sence. " I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" Tala looked from each pair of eyes with confusion.

Jason squirmed in his embrace, then relaxed again. His breathing turned a bit slowler; normal.

" No! Not at all! Not in the least ..." Anko protested, then smiled up at him. Even with the smile, Tala still reconized the surprise. " It's just that normally when he starts crying, you can't make him stop. He crys himself to sleep. But it takes him hours so you have the crying until the middle of the night. But you- you calmed him down in no less then five minutes."

Tala saw now why it was such a big deal. Though his mind-boogler was still haunting him. Red haired baby boy ... with big brown eyes ...

" I'll leave now. It's not in my respect to stay here." He started to hand Jason back to Anko but soon found he couldn't.

Jason's eyebrows were furrowed and he gripped onto Tala's shirt with all his might. He gave a little cry of protest when Tala tried to move his hands.

" You can stay, Tala! Unless you already have a place at the inn ..." Anko trailed off.

Tala really couldn't stand this house any longer, but he couldn't find the courage to tell her that. " No. I don't. I was only passing through actually. I still have some place to-"

" You'll need to rest then." Papa butted in. He slung one arm over Anko's ahoulders and the other over Tala's.

As he led the two out of the room, Tala could have sworn he saw that wink ...

.:VWV:.

" It's not hard, my Lord." A mysterious blond haired man bowed deeply. " With the Kingdoms in a frenzy, the attacks will be easy and unexpected."

An older man who sat in a throne glared down at the mysterious one. " There will also be more blood-shed on our part. That is what I cannot allow! Insolence!" He flicked his hand and sent the younger boy back a few feet, clutching his stomach in pain.

" I assure you, my Lord. It will work. They have already started assembiling a camp for the children. With your word we will attack this small post." The man spoke, his voice trembling.

The older man stood, flicking his blue locks out of his face. His deep brown eyes were hard with thought and his lips set in a tight frown. " No."

The young man blinked. " Bu- but my Lord, the troops are waiting for the ca-"

" I said no!" The bluenette shouted, flashing an invisible force towards him. The boy was sent to the wall with a hard smack!

" Lord Hiro, hear me out. I beg you. The clan begs you." The gentilmen gasped for air.

The bluenette let his fist settle to his side. " You will not attack them, Master Mystel! That is my order! I put you under second command for your ability to follow orders without question or second guesses. Would you like to challenge that?"

The younger man bent down in pain. " No, my Lord. I wish only to serve."

" Good. Now send word to your men that the attacks will be halted for the time being." Lord Hiro waved his hand in dismissal and sat back down on his throne.

Master Mystel cast him blue eyes filled with worry. " This will not pass over well with them."

" Tell them," Hiro let a smirk spread over his smile, " that if they cannot learn to follow orders, I will gladly end their roles."

Mystel felt a chill run up his spine as he nodded and left.

The Lord and Master of the Kotan clan.

.:VWV:.

A wind picked up and swirled around Travis as he sat nice and tall outside the cottage door. He was waiting in silence with Mathilda for Kai's pick up. Tears were still streaming down his cheeks, but he paid no heed to them. Nor did he wipe them away.

" Do you think I'll be alright?" He asked suddenly. " I mean, I could always just refuse and stay here against their will and-"

" Travis, you already said you were doing this to protect the people that have protected you. Think of it like a trade if you cannot find it in your heart to call it love or courage." Mathilda told him stubbornly.

Travis didn't even look at her, which struck Mathilda really hard. " Oh Travis. I didn't mean to sound so rash. I am sorry." She bowed her head.

A hand circled around her and soon she was sitting inside Travis's palm. He gave her a small smile and rested his forhead over hers. She gave him a small grin back and hugged him with as much arm span as they would allow.

" Your just trying to help and I'm being too stubborn to listen." He explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

" Travis? Aren't you going to let us wait with you?" A voice questioned and Travis whipped his head around.

Enrique looked calm but the Ray beside him was sobbing slightly. Travis brought his knees to his chest and let Mathilda settle onto them.

" I'll allow you to make that choice on your own."

Enrique's vision softened and he sat down next to the boy. " Travis, were just trying our best to do as we were told. To-"

" Protect me." He concluded and turned his gaze in the opposite direction as he dried his tears.

" Why are you making this more difficult then it has to be?" Enrique demanded.

Travis didn't respond. Mathilda glanced back and forth between them. Ray let out a sigh and put a hand on the red-head's shoulder.

" Stay safe." He spoke up.

Travis jumped about five feet in the air. He turned his eyes towards his Uncle Kitty, who was now smiling down at him.

" You- you can-?" Travis stammered.

Enrique looked equally surprised. " Since when have you started talking again! I thought you might have lost your voice box when ... it happened."

Ray frowned and shock his head. He turned back to Travis and stared him down. " Stay safe." He repeated.

Travis was lost for words. When it happened? What was Uncle Enrique talking about-?

Mathilda smiled suddenly and clapped. " Don't worry. I'll make sure of that! We already decided on it. I go where ever he goes and if he goes somewhere he isn't supposed to, I'll give him what-for! Isn't that right, Volkav?"

Travis blinked at her. She'd used his father's last name.

Mathilda noticed his surprise and grinned. " Well your going to start being called by your last name. So, you have to start having a last name. Right?"

" It's either that or Moren. But trust me, if you use that name, your more likely to get teased at the camp," Enrique pointed out, " She might be gone, but her reputation isn't exactly mended yet."

" Travis Volkav ... sounds alright." He let the name roll off his tongue.

Truth be silently told, he didn't want to take up any last name. It hurt too much but he couldn't resist Mathilda's good intensions. Plus, a last name was like he was ... owned. Like he was no longer a free being. A last name was something to tie him down by.

A cage of steel formed in the back of Travis's mind. Inside, on the floor, was a circle of five symbols. Three were lite; white, green and blue. The other two were still black and uncovered. A figure appeared in his mind. A dark figure; a womanly figure. Her clothes were ripped, she was bleeding heavily and her hair covered her eyes. Chained down on the circle. Locked inside a steel cage. A cage his mind created and held in high order.

It was the beginning of his torment.

" HALT!" Someone shouted out and cut through the gentil silence.

The group of four turned to look at a man on a horse, followed by two rows of boys and one carriage.

Enrique felt himself grin as he stood. " Long time no see, boys!"

Bryan smirked as he dismounted his horse. " Not long enough."

Kai jumped off the carriage and stared at the boys who were starting to break line formation. " Stay in your positions. We will be leaving soon and this is your only break. Enjoy it while it lasts."

The boys all groaned. Kai weaved through them and grabbed Miguel by the collar and dragged him towards the cottage.

Miguel squirmed under Kai's grip. " You don't have to keep protecting me."

Kai gave him a small side glance and noticed the boy's glare was sent behind him. Brooklyn was chuckling among a few friends, laughing and pointing fingers.

" And let you start up another pointless battle? I don't think so." He retorted.

" I don't start battles, I just happen to be the target." Miguel concluded as they came face to face with the group.

Kai let him go and Miguel stuck out his tongue, arms crossed.

" So how are you doing, Travis?" Kai asked, bending down on one knee.

Travis' head was lowered and he said nothing. Mathilda looked back and forth then smiled at Kai. " He's fine, just a bit nervous."

Kai raised a brow. " And who might you be?"

She grinned and stood nice and tall. She smoothed out her dress, straightened her hair, fluttered her wings and put her hands on her hips. " Name's Mathilda and I'll be joining you on this trip as well."

Kai felt himself smirk. So the boy had a fairy? Interesting. He nodded. Miguel was staring at her with such surprise.

" Wow. You have a fairy? How'd you manage to catch one?" He questioned Travis with a grin.

Travis looked up and you coudl see the dried streams of tears. " I didn't catch her. I made her."

" Really? Oh wow, that's so cool!" Miguel gawked and sat down beside him. " How'd you do that?"

" I don't ... really know." He tilted his head to the side, then looked back at Miguel with a blank stare.

Kai stood up. " Created her?"

Enrique sweatdropped. " You sound like those priests. We have to explain something to you. It might take a while."

Bryan raised a brow. " We don't have that long. You got ten minutes."

Ray gave Travis a glance then motioned the men inside. Soon, only the boys were left outside.

Miguel stared up at the stars, then smiled. " So your a fellow farmer boy, are you?"

" I guess." Travis shrugged and brought his knees down.

Miguel smiled at him and stuck out his hand. " Well farmers have to stick toghter. Names Miguel."

Travis stared at the hand for a second then took it. " Travis."

" I figured that. So your fairy is coming with us?" Miguel stated.

Mathilda grinned up at him and chirped in her high pitched voice. " Yeah! I'll be with him everyday of his life until one of us leaves. I haven't left before and I'm not missing out now."

Travis leaned over and whispered. " She thinks she's my concious."

" I heard that!" Mathilda stated stubbornly, stomping her foot down on Travis' thigh.

The boys started laughing when a shadow crawled over them. They looked up to stare at familier faces.

Miguel rolled his eyes. " Aren't you supposed to be staying in the line, Brooklyn?"

Brooklyn gave him a simple smile. " I was just looking forward to meeting our new companion here."

Travis just stared up at him. Brooklyn smiled at him. He motioned to both of the guys next to him. They were both taller then him and more muscluar.

" My name is Brooklyn. To my left is Garland and my right is Spencer." He stated, motioning to both of them.

Travis quickly scanned them.

The left had long gray hair that was tied back in a long ponytail. He had bright blue eyes that were currently clouded with michief. He had this single red dot on his forhead and a set of pearly white teeth. He didn't have a shirt on, but he did have a gray sash tied around his waist with baggy teal pants. He had nice looking leather boots, ankle short and deep brown.

To Brooklyn's right was a bulky blond haired boy with blue eyes as well. He had a flat nose and wore a torn wheat colored muscle shirt. He had blue shorts on that ended just past his knees. His feet were covered with a pair of knee high boots, black as night.

Mathilda had her hand covering her mouth. She was trying hard not to burst out laughing. These boys were trying to act touch, but to Mathilda, they looked pathetic.

" You must be Travis. Pleased to meet you, friend." He streghed out a hand.

Before Travis even started to think whether or not he should shake hands, Miguel pushed it away. Brooklyn recoiled and glared at the blond.

" He doesn't need to be mental to see that you three are nothing but castle trash." Miguel growled, getting to his feet.

Brooklyn felt his chest grow with fury. Castle trash was a famous insult directed towards rich folk. It meant more harm then it sounded. You could get into serious trouble by calling someone that.

" You take that back." Spencer piped up with his deep voice. Too deep for a ten year old.

" If you know what's good for you, farmer boy." Garland added.

Miguel rolled his eyes in fustration. " When will you people learn that that doesn't effect me! I like, no love, being a farmer boy. It means I grew up knowing what everything was around me, not what was popular and poor."

" Why you little-" Brooklyn growled, advancing.

Travis got to his feet; Mathilda taking up her position on his shoulder. " I think it would be best if you two just seperated. It's obvious you four don't get along so get going back to where you came from."

A fist came flying toward Travis and he flinched. When no impact came to his jaw, he looked at his hand. He caught it! His reflexes caught Garland's punch! How did that happen...?

" You little punk!" Garland growled.

Travis gripped his fist his all his might. " Look, I don't want any trouble. If your looking for some, your just going to be on your backs. Now leave." He replied calmly and flung the fist from his grasp.

" Solid advice." Someone stated as a tall shadow flowed over their figures.

The boys looked up, coming face to face with a rather pissed looking Kai. He let a growl rumble in his throat. He bent down and pointed towards the trees.

" I wasn't joking about hanging you, Brooklyn. Keep testing my paitents and I'll stick you up there till you learn your lesson. If you don't get back in that line within the next 30 seconds, I'll gladly start that punishment now!"

Brooklyn glared stubbornly at him, then turned to Miguel. He thrust a finger into his chest and sneered at him. " Your safe for now, but only for now. You just wait."

" Now!" Kai barked.

The three left. Miguel looked fustrated and Travis was blank. He was thinking.

' This camp ... if it's recruits are are liek that lot, this will become more interesting then I had expected.'

.:VWV:.

Author's Note: HAHA! I got it up! I liked this chapter personally. You got introduced more to Brooklyn and Miguel's relationship and you found out who Brooklyn's croonies were. Garland and Spencer!

Tala seems to be getting along well with Anko so far, don't you? Her family is pretty deranged if you ask me. It's like every other normal household! 'grins

With two different pasts covered up, what will happen when they finally get revealed? Will Anko and Tala regret their desisions? Well I guess you'll just have to keep reading ...

R&R THANKIES TO ALL REVIEWERS! 'gives all reviewers a box of Pixi Stix' XP Because there the best candy in Da WORLD!