A/N: I've returned with another chapter and ah, school is really kicking my butt omg. Seems like Karkat's got some worries on his mind. Too bad that his troubles have just began. Let's see what he goes through..

"Cronus?"

"Yeah chief?"

"Why is everyone staring at me?"

Cronus blinked as he finally took notice of the other students that were staring at Kankri in a curious manner. The greaser laughed nervously and waved it off. After all, he too had been like that as well. He provided the former sweater wearing male with a wide eyed expression as he surveyed his clothing, not used to his old friend dressing so expressively. It was a nice change of pace even if Kankri was now a child.

Speaking of Kankri, where was he?

Cronus made a incoherent noise as he saw that the teen was no longer by his side. He whipped his head in all directions, legitimately confused as to where the other went off to. He cursed and walked off to search for him.

Kankri's POV

These kids are so weird, why are they all looking at me? Was there something on my face? Did I dress weird because I thought I looked fine. I even picked my clothes all special last night. Was there a bug in my hair?

What did I do?

I didn't know what was wrong but it creeps my out and I don't know if I can deal with it all day. So I just stared at my feet and shuffled down the hall. I guess I was being silly with that whole not paying attention stuff cause I bumped into someone sooner or later. I mumbled out an apology because papa had told me it was the polite thing to do to people.

"Kankles?"

I blinked and looked up. It was some girl with long dark hair and a pair of cool square red glasses, she was watching me with a raised eyebrow and a skateboard in her hand, resting by her side. I smiled a little and waved at her shyly.

"Oh hi.."

"Yo, what are you doing dude? Your class isn't this way."

"I-It isn't?"

She shook her head, lifting a hand to her glasses and pulling them down to look at me more. She hummed when she finished ogling me and smiled really big.

"Wow Kankles, I didn't expect you to dress so radical today. You look awesome!"

I grinned and giggled, "Hehe, thanks miss."

She quieted down at that, making a face like she was surprised by what I said. She laughed but it faded off soon and she reached over, resting her hand on my shoulder. I just looked at her cause I didn't know what to say. She seemed like she was thinking about what to say to me like Karky, Cro, papa and Porrim were all doing the other time. She took a deep breath and finally spoke up.

"Hey Kankri..? Do you remember me?"

I squinted a bit and stared at her for a long time like something was going to happen. But nothing clicked and I shook my head. She looked really sad and sighed.

"Are you doing okay? I mean, I heard about what happened with the argument and the hospital and those memories of yours. Pretty brutal stuff."

I tipped my head to the side, "Memories? Whatcha mean?"

She made a face like she hadn't meant to say that so I guess she was keeping a secret like Karky and that made me want to know more. So I frowned and moved closer, she backed up a little and glanced at the lockers instead.

"Can't you tell me miss?"

"It's Latula. And sorry little dude. It's none of my business so I can't go blabbing about what happened to you and the stuff that ties in."

"But maybe I can find out some stuff!"

She just shook her head and gave me a weak smile, gesturing for me to go off on my way.

"Sorry I can't tell you nothing Kankles. But how about you head off that way? You'll be late to class if you don't hurry."

I opened my mouth to say more but she ran off just as a bell rang. I turned around to see her run past me and blinked. So much for finding that big secret out.

Some guys were such big fat meanies..

Karkat POV

Why the hell is the school day so goddamn long?

And when the actual prostrating fuck was I going to go to lunch?

I needed to see what the hell my older, or should I say younger, brother was up to. I growled and tapped my pencil lightly on my desk, looking at the window. I guess Sollux and Terezi took notice because they both got my attention at the same time. Except while Sollux was a harsh whisper, Terezi was a painful whack to the leg with a cane. I bit my lip to hold off any yelling that might make the teacher glare at me.

"Ow..what the fuck Terezi?"

"Hehehe, I see that you're distracted by something. What might that be?"

"None of your business." I sneered out.

It didn't phase her though and she cackled again, settling back into her seat. She was probably going to bug me again about this later. Instead of mulling over that, I looked over at Sollux. He had his chin resting in his hand and was tapping his fingers against his desk with a slightly impatient face.

"Oh, you lovebirdth are done chatting now?"

"We're not lovebirds."

"Whatver KK. What'th got you in a knot?"

"What do think? My 18 year old brother who is now a 7 year old is wandering the halls of this school. I don't know what could happen or who could upset him or what."

He gave me the smuggest look, "Theemth like you're becoming jutht like him."

"What?"

"He probably worried about you in thome of hith clatheth too. It'th thill funny to thee the thituation reverthed like that."

I furrowed my brows and stared at my hands, holding in tension like I was going to break something. I guess I was becoming like my own brother in a way with that faint doting feeling..but there was no way I'd admit that to him in a million years. The bell rang for us to head out to lunch and I don't think I've ever packed up my shit that quick ever. I left the class without another word to anyone and speed walked down the halls, dead set on finding Kankri. I saw Cronus leaning against a locker and walked up to him, an unamused air showing that I wasn't joking. He spotted me and grinned, but it seemed a bit nervous.

"Hey chief, nice seeing you here.."

"Where's Kankri?"

"Funny story about that. You see, I lost Kankri earlier in the morning on the way to class-"

"You WHAT?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait! I found him again about 2 periods ago."

I sighed with a small source of relief, crossing my arms with a nod.

"Good, so where is h-"

"But uh, then I lost him again."

I swear at that moment, I was blowing steam out of my ears akin to this kid cartoons that everyone's watched. I gnashed my teeth together and glared with ferocity at the cowering Ampora. He just stuttered and twiddled his fingers, looking off to the side.

"Karkat, just relax.."

"Relax? RELAX? How do you expect me to relax when you lose him like that? When he's still curious and a wanderer? He's a human being, not the keys to a car-"

"I'm pretty sure I wouldn't lose the keys to my car."

"Then why don't you not lose him?!" I bit out, brows shadowing over my eyes as I fought the urge to strangle the little prick.

Cronus pursed his lips and held up his hands in surrender. It was at that moment that Porrim ran over to us. She stopped short and grabbed my arm, tugging me to the cafeteria. I studied her in surprise and struggled in her grasp.

"H-Hey Porrim, what are you doing?!"

"It's Kankri. The other students are picking on him and me alone can't drive them away."

I immediately straightened up and dragged her behind me instead, heading off to the cafeteria with Cronus lagging behind. I grit my teeth, ready to fight off any assholes who tried to instigate a fight with Kankri. I shoved open the doors to the lunchroom and was immediately greeted with a flying milk carton that I so narrowly dodged. I looked back and turned to see the source of the object.

Kankri was standing on the table, fear evident in his eyes, holding an armful of food and cartons. He held an apple tightly in his hand as he faced the three other males who were grinning and chuckling as they closed in on him. The other students watched on in shock, worry and faint amusement.

"Aw come on dude, we just wanna talk." One of the guys said, taking a step forward.

"Yeah man, don't gotta be tossing drinks and shit at us." The other lackey said.

"Stop it! I didn't do anything, why are you bugging me?!" My brother screeched out.

The teachers were not too far off, hands held up as they attempted to coax Kankri down. But I knew him. He was bullied around the age he's in right now so I understand why he's doing that. When he had to face people like this, he went into a defense mode and it was pretty tough to calm him down. He threw an apple at one of the guys who closed in on him, hitting him right in the face. And if that didn't do a good job on pissing the fucker off, I don't know what would.

"What the FUCK is wrong with you?!"

"Screw talking, let's get him down ourselves."

When they moved forward, I decided to step in. Growling ferociously, I shoved past the people blocking my way and shouted at them just as they reached for Kankri's legs.

"And what do you think you shitsponges are doing?!"

They all jumped from the sudden shouting and spun around to face me, chuckling when they saw me and thought I wasn't a treat. How wrong they were.

"Oh it's just the other Vantas. Why don't you get out of here? This is between us and your bro."

"Excuse me. But if you think I'm just going to sit here and let you all pick on or beat up my brother, you're more stupid that I give you grubfisted douchebags credit for."

"What'd you call us?"

"Yo, I think Vantas here needs his own lesson."

I stiffened up when I saw them walk towards me instead. A few shuffled footsteps behind me showed that my friends in the lunchroom were ready to help me out if the going got tough. But Kankri was the first person to act. He gasped and shook his head, his frightened appearance taking on a more gutsy air. He growled and pounced off the table and onto one of the guys' back.

"You leave Karky alone!" He announced, punching the guy on the back of his head.

Said guy yelled out, trying to shake him off as he continued to bare the brunt of Kankri's fists. I jumped in, delivering a punch to one of the guys and knocking him out. Another tries to sneak up on me but Cronus and Porrim came to the rescue, getting rid of him. That left the screaming idiot who was trying to remove a screaming 18 year old off his back. I approached him, getting in his face with a heated scowl that could melt metal. He paled a bit, slowing in his struggles just a tad.

"Don't screw with my brother again."

He nodded quickly and I made a gesture to make Kankri get off, to which he obliged. The guy ran off but didn't get far as he ran into the principal. The principal looked down at the shaking student and the two others who were on the ground and finally, her eyes landed on us. Kankri and I glimpsed at each other with a look that we were so screwed.

"Vantases, Ampora, Maryam and the three individuals who instigated the fight. Come with me to my office this instant."