The afternoon sun was strong as several dozen students poured from the large doors of the stone school and hurried across the courtyard, chattering amongst themselves as they made their way to the large sports field that lay next to the woods. It was time for daily recreation and there was an atmosphere of excitement—a tournament was coming up and everyone wanted to do their best to prepare.

As the last student exited the building, Sasuke and Juugo emerged from the adjoining hall and began to walk towards the field, neither of them overly excited to spend yet another hour with yet another group of rudely biased, staring students who had nothing better to do than aim their scorn at what they perceived as a monstrosity

. . .

"The Tournaments are a special event that we host every year…" Sasuke and Juugo arrived at the field just as the teacher began to speak and quietly moved to the back corner of the crows, trying to avoid unwanted contact with the rest of the group

"In order to perform well in the Tournaments, we will be practicing the techniques that you will be using during the famous obstacle course" the students collectively sighed as they received the news. The form of 'magic' the school used-namely the use of Latin to channel their wills to perform feats-was complex enough in the classroom and though they all enjoyed their studies, most of them were struggling with matching the level of power with the right words; a balance that was difficult to achieve, even for the most experienced Professor.

"In the obstacle course you will have to carry out certain feats such as opening and closing doors, aiding in the growth of plants and moving inanimate objects; all without the use of your hands. Any questions?"
The field was silent and the teacher smiled, her full lips barely lifting as she glanced over the crowd "Who—would like to go first?" She was again met with silence and she surveyed the crowd, her emerald eyes searching for a choice student to put in the unwanted spotlight.

"Juugo, will you come forward please" her business-like tone didn't change as she called on the tall student and Juugo stepped forward, shooting a nervous expression at Sasuke as he crossed through the crowd of students
The Woman professor hardly waited till Juugo had reached her before she began to walk deliberately towards a crate that was sitting near the edge of the field.

"I want you to move this crate—anywhere is fine" she wasted no time in getting to her point and Juugo hesitated as he turned his gaze down "Professor…I don't think it's safe…if I—" she cut off his protest as she shook her head, her long black hair rippling gently in the breeze
"You can do more than you think you can, just because you have a problem doesn't make you a talent-less dolt" her tone was sharp and Juugo blinked in surprise, was that encouragement? No one had ever seen him on an equal plain with the rest of the school before...

"You know what to do" She backed away as she spoke, leaving Juugo standing alone in the middle of the field.

Juugo took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, in his mind visualizing the crate as it moved and landed gently on the grass several feet away
"Transvenio…shift" he whispered the word quietly, letting the feeling of motion channel into his words and flow into the crate.
A gasp brought him out of his concentration he opened his eyes, looking around quickly as he saw the crate had disappeared. Had he actually done it?

"Well done Juugo" The professor had come forward again and she smiled as she motioned for him to go back to his spot on the field.
"Sophos, Juugo bravo" Sasuke's voice was low as Juugo came up beside him and Juugo smiled in gratitude "You taught me…" he was trying to shift some credit to Sasuke but the raven-haired boy looked away as a troubled expression crossed his face "No…not that feat I didn't…"

Juugo thought carefully "but it's taught in class" it was the next logical explanation and Sasuke shrugged quietly, turning his gaze towards the green forest "yeah…in class"
Both of them fell silent and the conversation died—Sasuke watching the tall trees sway in the breeze and Juugo watching one of the students as they desperately tried to grow a plant…

. . .

"Sasuke—" The sky was growing shadowed with rain clouds when the professor called "will you come forward?" Sasuke straitened from his stupor and walked over to where the teacher was standing, ignoring all flirty looks that the girls shot at him as they tried to get his attention.

"As the last exercise for the day, will you shut this door?" It was a rather heavy-looking door and Sasuke nodded, deciding not to comment on how simple a task it was before focusing his energy forward and moving it around the door
"occludo…shut" he didn't even voice the word and the door swung shut, closing with a silent click.

"Beautifully done" The Professor clapped softly and glanced up at the sky "Remember to practice hard. We will be selecting the best students from each class to participate in the tournament"
Her gaze shifted from Juugo to Sasuke as she spoke and both turned away, pretending to be absorbed in something else
"Class dismissed" The students bowed and turned to leave the field, picking up their bags and books and then hurrying away to avoid the threatening rain.

. . .

"I heard of the incident during your philosophy class" The Headmaster was pouring himself a cup of tea and Sasuke sat down in the seat across from the headmaster's desk "Professor Cuore gave you high marks and sends his regards."
Sasuke didn't look up at the Headmaster's statement and the old man stopped, realizing that wasn't the reason Sasuke had come,

"What's bothering you my boy?" This time Sasuke did look up, his dark eyes meeting the Headmaster's soft gray ones with a look of confused passiveness "It's Juugo" he answered slowly and the headmaster's eyebrows raised in surprise-he hadn't expected that topic "what about him?"

Sasuke paused and idly began to pick at the threads on the arm of the faded chair "He's not normal—and not just because he has those fits…" the Headmaster was waiting expectantly, tea cup in hand and Sasuke continued "When he touches me…this hot energy just shoots through my body…today he managed a feat that he shouldn't even know exists yet—what is he?"

The old man slowly set his cup on its saucer and went to the large window behind his desk "a feat, you say? does that make him special? If you're talking about the crate, that's quite normal." He was subtly trying to avoid answering the question but Sasuke gave a small shake of his head
"he made a crate disappear. Not move. Vanish. A normal student –person can't do that. I don't even know if I can do that" he was rather emphatic and the Headmaster sighed as he stared out into the pouring rain "Juugo is a special child—he carries a power that was never his to control" he spoke slowly and Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he tried to understand "what do you mean?" the headmaster was clearly hiding something and he wanted to know what it was.

"You feel akin to him, do you not?" it wasn't the question he'd expected and he leaned back in his chair as he thought carefully before nodded slowly "almost as if I knew him once…"

The old man closed his eyes briefly, as if what he was going to say next pained him "Sasuke...Juugo has —" His words were interrupted by a shrill scream and Sasuke stood up quickly, turning towards the door as the remnants of the conversation left his mind "what was that?" his question was followed by a beat of silence as his eyes met the Headmasters, realization flashing between them in a silent conversation. It had begun…

. . .

"Sasuke, something happened in the field!" Juugo came up behind Sasuke and Sasuke whipped around, startled by the sudden appearance of his roommate from what he'd thought was an empty hallway "How do you know?" it wasn't quite a demand and Juugo shrugged
"Everyone is trying to find what happened—and I can't find any of the professors…It's just a feeling Sasuke, whatever happened was in the field" Juugo's words were spilling out and Sasuke hesitated, his mind racing as he watched Juugo carefully. The taller teen was the closest thing he had ever had to a friend and yet they both had secrets…if he chose to trust Juugo's impulse now, they would either find the source of the scream or he would be walking into some sort of trap staged by that being.

He clenched his teeth in frustration, trying to sort it all out as his thoughts raced wildly—
"Sauske?" Sasuke looked up, his eyes meeting Juugo's worried gaze for several seconds before he looked away. No one, no thing could have such gentle eyes if they were being influenced evil. Yes, Juugo was a mystery, but as the Headmaster had told him long ago; not all mysteries were bad…

He paused for a moment longer before looking up
"Where on the field Juugo, can you take me there?" his voice was quiet and Juugo shook his head "I don't know" he realized his lack of knowledge wasn't helping his credibility and he was shocked as Sasuke simply nodded and turned towards the nearest exit as the wind outside began to howl "let's go"

Headmaster's office, take 1:

"Whenever he touched me, it's like being shot through with electricity" Sasuke paused and a funny look crossed his face as he realized what he'd just said "I mean...um..."
The Headmaster silenced him with an understanding nod and a quiet chuckle "I know what you were trying to say..."