He couldn't see, only bursts of blue and red murky light filled his vision. He grasped what felt like dirt beneath him and attempted to sit up only to hiss in pain and collapse once again. The bullet wound from his leg was acting up, a warm sticky liquid he assumed was blood dripped down his thigh and onto the earth. Gareki's memory was still foggy, but slowly it started to return. Kafka attacking, fake Karoku showing up, the bright light. And Nai. Where is he? From what little he could see, no dark outline matched the boy's figure.

"Nai," He called out his voice hoarse. "Nai!" This time, he shouted it causing the blue and red lights to cease. His sight was slowly returning and he could just make out the outline of a building in the distance. A moment later two sets of footsteps grew louder before stopping in front of him.

"Hey kid, what are you doing here? I thought all students were on lockdown." A gruff voice called out.

"He's wounded." Another stated.

"I guess we'll have to continue this another time." The gruff voice said disappointed and slightly angry. Whoever these people are, I can't trust them. Not until I find Nai. A strong hand gripped him around his waist and pulled him upwards, he was aware that he was being carried slung over a shoulder.

The awkward silence was broken by the man carrying him. "If the kid got shot it would've have to been from you. We don't use guns," (A/N At least I think they don't) The other man scoffed and said,

"The boy wasn't here when we started fighting, and the SCEPTER 4 uses swords not guns."

"Same difference," The one carrying him muttered. As he was being carried he began to feel nauseous. A vile taste rose in his throat but he choked it down and closed his eyes, waiting for the ride to be over.

Somewhere not too far away...

"-ey…Hey! Kid! Wake up!" Nai slowly opened his eyes to meet face to face with three people. In alarm, he pushed himself away. Where am I? He thought in panic. A teenager who bore a striking resemblance to him raised his hands in a surrendering gesture and carefully approached.

"I'm Yashiro Isana, we're not going to hurt you," Yashiro offered a hand which he took, the boy wasn't giving off a bad vibe so he felt he could trust him. Once he was up Yashiro gave him a smile and pointed at a girl with different colored eyes, "This is Neko," Then at a boy with a sword and long black hair tied in a ponytail that rested on his neck, "And Kuroh Yatogami, you are?"

"I'm Nai…" He bit his lip as he spoke his next sentence, "Would you mind telling me where I am?" The three went silent. Nai watched as they glanced at each other, as if having a secret conversation.

"You're at Ashinaka High, do you remember how you got here?" Yashiro replied curiously. He shook his head no and glared at the floor. As if just realizing it, if this was a school, it was much different than the ones he'd been in. All though he hadn't been in many to begin with, Karoku taught him all the things he needed to know. He glanced around the room and saw the desks were smaller, the room was brighter for it had more window space, a white shiny surface replaced where the chalkboard went, and even though it was the middle of the day there were no students nor teachers. It was dead silent.

He met eyes with Yashiro and asked slowly, "Do you mind me asking, where is everyone?" There it was again, the three strangers looked at each other as if they were mentally speaking. Maybe something was happening that he wasn't to know about.

"All the students are either being held in classrooms throughout the school or are being evacuated for their protection." Kuroh answered.

Nai stumbled forward, "Is something happening?!"

"Just a battle we should be okay!" Neko smoothly said in a light hearted tone. Battle?

"Neko!" Kuroh hissed. He gave them all confused looks before backing up to the window and looking out. His eyes widened in horror at what he saw; people fought down below, smoke rose in the air signaling multiple fires, it was chaos! And-wait. Further out two men were heading towards the battle, as they approached the people stopped fighting and made a path. Yashiro came up next to him and smiled,

"Ah, it seems like the fight is over." Yashiro's voice became a bit darker. "We still have to deal with him though. It shouldn't be too much trouble," He, Kuroh, and Neko, watched as Yashiro headed to the door and picked up an umbrella twirling it over his shoulder, "Should be back in a bit, don't worry about me all right?"

Kuroh spoke in a serious tone, "Be careful Shiro," Yashiro nodded and waved, then was off. Moments later Neko had wrapped herself around Kuroh and began complaining on how come she couldn't go with Shiro. Maybe I can leave, now that they're not paying attention to me…He carefully snuck behind the pair and to a door on the opposite side of the room. The sounds of Neko and Kuroh quarrelling let him know they hadn't noticed him trying to escape yet. Almost there...He thought as his hand inched towards the handle.

"Are you trying to leave?" Nai suddenly felt the warmth of another person and heard Neko's voice uncomfortable close. His eyes widened in surprise and he flipped around, pushing the girl back.

"Y-Yeah! You're not keeping me here are you?" He asked flustered. Kuroh stepped forward and rested a hand on his swords.

"We're not. But until everything is resolved out there I suggest staying here. I can say you're safe here."

He pursed his lips and walked back to the window. Currently the two men he saw walking earlier were talking to the people who moments ago had been at each other's throats. One man bore a blue coat, as did many other men in the battlefield. The second had...someone slung over his shoulder? Nai's eyes widened in alarm. Not just anyone, that's Gareki! Even though it was such a distance there was no mistaking the boy's familiar choice of clothing, and the pair of goggles strapped across his head and his black hair. "You okay?" Neko asked in a singsongy tone, noticing his sudden mood change.

"I'm sorry I have to go!" He shouted and ran past the pair towards the door.

"Hey wait!" Kuroh shouted as he entered the hall. He wore a determined expression as he found the stairs and practically flew down the stairs. Gareki, wait for me!