A/N: The prompt came from the ONS plots she provided me, which said, that what if it was Mika who escaped instead of Yuu, plus that plot where Yuu was supposed to be giving blood to Crowley too. Shinoa and Yuu are genderbent here because she wanted it to be genderbent. And it is a modification of this https(:)(/) s/11804877/2/Owari-no-Plots (this is the plot I was talking about earlier).

Shinoa is Shino here! Just a heads up.

Chapter 1: Friendships

The morning sun was hot. The light shining on Mika and the stale air on his skin, made him want to go back to his classroom. Dust were trapped on the downy hair of his arms. Dried sweat made him feel sticky, so he wanted to get away. But he thought it would be best if heard the girl out, even if he would still say No.

Confessions were becoming an everyday thing. This was the fifth one Mika was going to reject. As he stood there waiting for the girl to finally say something, he thought whether it would be to his advantage if he asked the girl what she wanted, to get it over and done with. When he finally decided to speak, the girl raised her green eyes and said,

"I like you! Please go out with me."

Mika smiled; eyes soft with emotion, he replied: "I'm sorry.. I can't."

The girl lowered her eyes and bit her lip. Mika noticed her clenching her hands into a fist. After he excused himself, Mika walked towards the exit, leaving the girl without even looking back. When the door clicked behind him, he frowned, as always Shino was there leaning against the wall waiting for him. Shino was a boy his age. But while they were of the same age, he was a petite boy with eye as doe eyed as any girl's. His hair, lavender, looked soft and smooth. It smelled of an expensive shampoo. Pissed, Mika pretended he didn't see him.

Knowing Mika was pretending he didn't see him, Shino smiled, his eyes gleamed with delight. He always liked teasing Mika so much that it can almost be called a hobby. Shino's smile widened into a grin as if he knew an embarrassing secret about Mika.

"You rejected another one? Wow. I can't believe you're so handsome~!" Shino said as he threw an arm around Mika's shoulders.

"You're so mean Mika-kun~ If it were me, I wouldn't have rejected her. This is Yamada-san we're talking about! She's the most popular girl in class yet you... the great Mika-kun rejected her as if it were nothing!

"tsk tsk tsk, Lt. Colonel Guren won't be pleased."

Mika elbowed Shino and dusted his left shoulder off and walked far away from him. He didn't like Shino hovering around him all the time. Because of him, rumors had already spread that the reason why Mika rejected all of the girls who confessed to him was because he was actually going out with Shino. Ridiculous.

"Hey Mika-kun! Where are you going? Lt. Colonel Guren said I'm in charge to make sure you wont..."

"I can manage." Mika interjected. He didn't like Guren worrying about him having no friends, and nor did he like the idea of Shino becoming a friend. This was not because he hated him. Yes, he was an irritant, but Mika had deep reasons for this. This was because, friends he came to understand would only be a risk. He was afraid that the same tragedy that befell his family would occur again. And he didn't want that. He didn't want anyone to be hurt because of him. He didn't want to lose someone again.

"But Lt. Colonel Guren said if you can't make a friend you won't be granted pass to train for the demon army!"

Mika was aware. But he wasn't ready yet. He wasn't ready to open himself to feeling and caring for something again. Well, at least not if he still had a burden that he carried with him like a cross.

Mika stopped walking. He turned to Shino and craned his neck to look up at him standing on an elevated part of the stair. Blue eyes warm against the shadows inside the hall, covered by tufts of yellow hair, made his gaze sharper than usual. Shino found his eyes beautiful; it reminded him of a summer sky.

"Mika-kun, you know your high grades and status in this school would be no use if you don't follow Lt. Colonel Guren's advise of having friends right? You need comrades for you to be able to grow!"

Mika looked away and sighed, "I know. But what do you want me to do? Friendship takes time Hiiragi. I'm not a nosy brat like you."

"Ohoo~ Who are you calling nosy and a brat?" Shino hopped on a flight of stair to where Mika stood crossing his arms over his chest, he thought purposely.

"You should have had just accepted one of the confessions. That way, you would learn the glory of mating and rapidly change from a lone wolf to a he-man that is oozing with pheromones and charm, and you're gonna give out this outgoing vibe and make a lot of friends. Isn't that a good idea Mika-kun? You won't be called the gloomy prince anymore but a darling prince instead."

Shino paused and leanedf forwards. Mika just stared, his face as laconic and as ice cold as ever.

"What? Quit it Hiiragi."

"Uh huh... and you should smile more often too! That way, you won't scare people who would want to be friends with you."

Shino hopped to another stair, his arms behind his back now, the expression on his face was knowing and thoughtful.

"Being a prefect, having a high grade and being almost perfect is not a compensation for friends Mika-kun. You can't be in a squad if you can't make friends."

Shino was right. When the time came when he would finally train for the demon company, he would be forced to make friends. After all, he would ultimately settle down to a squad to work with. And he knew too, that you go to war with a battalion behind you.

"I know you know this. You are after all the great Mika-kun who's.."

"Shut up! I'm nothing like that." Mika clenched his fists in indignation. He truly believed he was not as great as Shino thought he was.

Shino's facial expression softened. He knew about Mika's insecurities, his doubts on things.

"All this talking is making me hungry! Wanna grab a bite?"

"I..."

"I'll treat you of course! Don't worry about it." Shino said, elbowing him on his side.

Sometimes, Mika thought, Shino can be calming like this. So instead of pushing him away, he gave up and allowed the other boy to drag him. Mika could feel the other's excitement emanate from him as he hummed. As they walked, the gleam of the afternoon sun spilling across the hallway hurt his eyes.

Heat. Shade. Shadows played, stamping their bodies with the form of foliage and circles and lines as they passed the windows.

Mika shielded his eyes and frowned. In increments, the heat burned his pale skin. He clenched his eyes shut and allowed Shino to be his eyes. Shino stopped walking, forcing Mika to check what he was up to. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Shino's eyes on him. Shino's expression was soft, affectionate and friendly. It had been years since someone gave him that look, and it unnerved him.

Shino didn't say anything to him. He just smiled and let go of Mika's arm. They both continued walking to the cafeteria, apart: Mika walked behind Shino, his figure tired but dignified, while Shino's was full of energy and positivity—a positivity for vanquishing the sturdy walls that Mika built around his heart. Shino knew Mika blamed himself for something. He knew too that he had been handling this alone for so long. The ache Mika felt would probably forever out of Shino's grasp, but he was tasked to make sure Mika found a friend, so he had no choice.

When they finally left the building, the shade from the line of trees cooled their skins. The sound of footsteps striking the ground and the hiss of their shoes scraping cement dust and a faint chatter wafted in the air like a song. Accompanied by the panels of light streaming through the branches of the trees and the scent of sunshine and sweat, Mika felt at peace.

He imagined hearing Yuu call his name in the distance, like how she always did.

Yuu.

He still remembers her in random moments like this, wondering if she was still alive. Wondering if he would ever hear her laugh and hear her giggle again. Her voice. Her sweet voice. He wanted to hear it.

Screams woke Mika up from his reverie. The leaves underneath Mika's feet crackled as he turned to look at the group that surrounded a feeble looking boy. He stopped walking, making Shino immediately look to where he was looking at. The shadow playing on Mika's features made his face look even sterner. The lines of his face was grave. As the wind swathed both of their skins, Shino wondered what Mika would do. He was a prefect, but despite having such title, he was known to avoid confronting troublemakers himself. Shino was expecting this, but to his surprise, Mika sighed and sauntered towards the group.

Fights between boys were normal. Mika didn't like the sight of it. It reminded him of how scary kids were. It reminded him of the fact that stronger people often preyed on weaker ones. When he was near them, he clenched his fists; his grip tightened as the seconds dropped. Yuu was momentarily forgotten.

"What's going on here?"

Mika looked at the boy. His hair had a seaweed curl, and his eyes were the color of greenish gray like a gemstone. The poor boy sprawled on the dirty ground and was covered in dust. His face had scratches and it was obviously inflicted by the boys that surrounded him. Mika clicked his tongue and threw a grave stare at the lot.

"What are you staring at pretty boy?! You want me to punch that pretty face of yours, huh?" One of the boys provoked, his lips curled malignantly. Head tilted up. Arrogant. Rebellious.

Mika did not reply. He went down on his knees and addressed the victim.

"Are you okay?"

He draped a hand around the boy's waist to help him stand up. The boy blushed. He was overwhelmed by the fact that Mika was being too close for comfort. He could not help but notice the prefect's pearlescent azure eyes, grave in their stare, gazing emptily at him.

"Hey! Are you listening to me?" The leader of the rambunctious boys bellowed.

The delinquent threw his bread at Mika, hitting Mika on the cheek. The boy he helped gasped at the insult. Mika didn't care though; he was not moved in the least. Realizing Mika ignored them, the leader shouted something to his gang, then he turned to Mika.

"Whaddup you punk!" The leader hollered. Mika let go of the boy. Without any hesitation, he punched the guy squarely on the jaw with a force that was enough to turn the leader's face askew. Shino who was just observing on the sidelines gasped. He didn't see that coming.

A/N: Thanks for reading, please tell me what you think. :D It would really help me get motivated to write.