Precious kids back! Just to tell you that this is slice-of-life, but not necessarily chronological: Van is younger here than in the previous chapter.

Was it that night, in that dark alley?

Vanitas wasn't a respectable person, and he often hung out with not respectable people, doing not respectable things.

He did not really know or care about the details, but that night, he and his friends were beating up some other guys, which was nothing out of the ordinary. It all started when Scrap, one of his friends, insulted some guy's girlfriend by calling her a sow, or something like that. Vanitas really never cared about why they would fight, as long as they did. Lately, that was his only way of feeling alive, throwing punches and being kicked back, coming back home with his lower lip cut and his fists wounded. Without the pain, he felt numb.

And there he was, in the middle of a fight they were clearly winning, already losing interest in it the minute he realised how much stronger than their opponents they were.

Two of the three guys had already passed out. On their side, Scrapper was still fighting, Flood was throwing up, and Mandrake was pickpocketing the unconscious guys. Vanitas stepped back.

"Let go, Scrap. He's had enough."

Scrapper snorted. "He'll have enough once I decide he does, Rem. I've had a bad day, and I need to let all of this anger out."

Rem. Short for Remnant. None of them used their real names - they didn't even know the other ones' real names. They picked up their villain secret identity the day they joined the group, and Vanitas chose Remnant, because that was what he was. A Remnant of a human being, barely alive, his life so dull.

"Give him one more punch and his head will explode, man. Let go."

He tried to put his hand on Scrapper's shoulder to calm him down - which was a mistake. Scrap turned around, landing his fist right into Vanitas's face, sending him flying away.

"He is right, though. This guy won't be able to take a single more hit. He's had more than enough. Also, I called the police, so it's best if you just leave this place."

Blood froze in Vanitas's veins. That voice… No way. Not now, not here, that made no sense.

And yet, there she was. Aqua, his brother's dumb mom friend, her hair tied up in a ponytail and a sports outfit on. Was she doing some running? Why on Earth would she stop here?

"Listen up, sweetheart, let the boys have fun and go play somewhere else."

Vanitas couldn't explain why, but hearing Scrapper calling her sweetheart irked him. The best thing was probably to pretend he did not know her, though. He hoped she would be clever enough to realise that too.

"She called the cops, Scrap. We'd better go." Mandrake glanced all over the place, nervous. He spent two months in jail before, and did not want to go back.

"You know what, guys? I think she's bluffing. She would still be on the phone with them, otherwise. They would have told her to stay away. So now, sweetie, how about we wait for them together?"

"Scrap…" Vanitas hissed as a warning. He was furious at Aqua for being here. Did she have any idea how stupid it was to show up here?

"We can even have some fun to keep us busy, if you'd like…"

Scrapper's fingers touched Aqua's cheek, and Vanitas couldn't channel his anger anymore. He violently punched his friend, kicking him in the chest to send him away.

"Drake, Flood, get away before the cops show up. Hurry. Let's meet up tomorrow at the usual spot."

They did not argue, running away, leaving Aqua and Vanitas in the alley, four unconscious bodies at their feet.

"What are you doing here?" Vanitas hissed as soon as they were gone. She frowned.

"I was enjoying my music, running as I always do, when I heard some people fighting, and I decided to see what was going on. I did not expect to see you here."

"Don't you realise how stupid that was? These guys aren't dumb teddy bears like Terra. They could have hurt you, had I not…"

"Had you not what?" She politely asked with a smile. "Saved me? Trust me, Vanitas, I wouldn't have stepped in if I thought I had no chance. Do not underestimate me because you think girls can't fight."

He clicked his tongue, annoyed. "I can't let them hurt you, Aqua."

She didn't answer, and he realised she was trying to process his words.

"If anything were to happen to you while I was there, Ventus would kill me. So don't get hurt while I'm around. If you're not doing this for me, do it for Ven."

A soft smile started to appear on her face, annoying him. She put her fingers on his cheek, wiping away some blood from a cut over his brow. "You like playing it tough, but you still care about your brother. That's sweet."

He smacked her hand away, pissed. "Yeah, whatever. You did not really call the cops, did you?"

"I wanted to, but then I saw you. I don't want you to get into any kind of troubles. I'm doing this for Ven." And at that, she winked at him.

"Really, though, if you want me to stay out of troubles, then stay out of my way, dumbass. I won't always be able to protect your sorry butt."

She furrowed his brows, and he wondered if she was angry.

"Listen carefully, Vanitas. I will not thank you for saving me, because you're just using this as an excuse for more violence. This could have been solved in a peaceful way, so don't start thinking you are a hero who saved the frail little girl I am. I am grateful you wanted to help, but I condemn the way you chose of doing so."

Vanitas crossed his arms, looking carefully at her. She might be a bit more sporty than most girls he'd seen, but she still looked weak. Too weak for someone like Scrapper, for someone like him. If she wouldn't listen to him, perhaps he could show her? Prove her she wouldn't last a second, without really hurting her.

He quickly moved, his leg trying to sweep her legs away, his hand ready to catch her before she'd actually fall.

He ended up pinned against the wall, both of his arms locked in his back within a second.

"I mean it, Vanitas. I'm a big girl. I've been practising martial arts since I'm six, so don't insult me."

"Fine, fine! I'm sorry! Happy?"

She let go of him with a sad face. "No, I'm not happy. I'm not happy because it's late and you are spending your nights out fighting, and because you are only seventeen and you are obviously drunk, and because your family is worried for you."

He shrugged. "That's my life. That's what makes me happy. None of your business."

"Are you really happy, though?"

"None of your business." He repeated, ignoring how monochrome life was, how dull and insignificant, and how blue was somehow the only colour that made it through to his world.

"It's getting really late. Let me drive you home. Please." Her imploring face was almost painful to watch. He glared at her for a moment, before finally giving up.

"Fine. Bring me back to my personal hell, if that can make you happy."

She smiled, starting to walk away.

"Let's go, then! We'll stop by my place so we can treat this wounds of yours beforehand."

"Aqua?"

She stopped, looking back at him. "What is it?"

He felt so embarrassed, and so stupid. "Don't tell Ven. Please. I told him I was a superhero saving people when night came, and I still half expect him to believe me."

She chuckled, a delicious melody in the unbearing noise of the streets.

"I won't."

"...Thanks."

She walked a few feet before him, and he observed her.

His life was dull. His life was boring. But here, with her around, and even though he wasn't fighting anyone, being alive didn't feel that bad.

The next chapter (out who knows when) will happen in a library.. Yup, that's a lame teaser, but hey, that's still a teaser!