All right 8D Still no yaoi here, but it's getting there, I swear XD

This is the only thing I can update for now since my hard drive died and they had to wipe the files, but I got to continue this from a laptop.

Just a warning for people who read my other fics, a mix of a busy schedule and lost fics may postpone updates.

But this, this is posted for the loving readers who nag me ;) And for Buzz, whose birthday it is tomorrow 8D

Characters that are identifiable in HIVE belong to Mark Walden. Others to me.


Kobayashi and G.L.O.V.E.


"Kazu. Wake up. Kazuno."

"Wake up."

Kazuno opened his eyes. Xiu Mei and Tyler were still asleep, but Mary Gulo pointed to the window. Kazuno looked. All he could see was ocean.

"What is it?" He asked groggily. "Islands. Small ones." Mary said. Kazuno looked again, and sure enough, there were islands at the edge of his line of sight, barely more than black spots in the endless sea.

"That's what we are to the world. Unknowable. We're the secret of G.L.O.V.E."

She was asleep again before Kazuno could ask what she meant.

Soon after, so was he.


"Wake up, Kazu." Tyler coaxed.

"We're here."

Kazuno looked out the window, feeling the helicopter tilt slightly as it got into position to touch down. He didn't see a pad anywhere, though. He couldn't see anything at all, save for some jungle and ocean water off a cliff side.

He was almost shocked to see the wall of rock open up, until he caught himself, realizing that it wasn't much different from H.I.V.E., really.

The helicopter was maneuvered skillfully into the face of the cliff, touching down on a helipad planted on the cave interior.

Nero stepped out first, greeted by a welcoming party of G.L.O.V.E. operatives, and then approached by a bear of a man.

Kazuno stepped out just in time to hear part of the conversation as the large man took Nero into what could only be described as a back-breaking bear hug.

"Max! Good to see you so well, my friend." The man said jovially, practically lifting the headmaster a foot off the ground before releasing him.

"Good to see you too, Gregori." Nero said, his voice slightly strained by the trauma on his back. He was smiling, though, which caught Kazuno off guard.

"And these are your chosen students! I hope you will introduce me, Max." The man GregorI said, feigning seriousness as he nodded.

"Yes, well, I think the chosen students of H.I.V.E. have earned the right to introduce themselves. Students?" Nero said, waving the teens closer.

Each introduced themselves and stated their reason for being there, as per the headmaster's orders.

Each student was given a pat on the back or the head, most of them reeling afterward. Tyler could brag about being the only one still standing steady after the man's greetings, Xiu Mei commented after.

They all had a laugh about it as they were led into the facility.

The halls were mostly metal walls and floors, closed off and unwelcoming. The group was divided and the students were led off by the different specialists and operatives. Tyler and Kazuno stayed together with Xiu Mei, while Mary Gulo went by herself with a G.L.O.V.E. biologist and geneticist. The rest went elsewhere, somewhere that from a point far in the future Kazuno would no longer remember.

They passed through coded doors, led into a facility of glass and technology. From a higher point, the students could only stare with wide eyes at the vast laboratory that appeared before them, filled with scientists and specialists running here and there, machinery running in place, prototypes being tested.

Kazuno recognized an enormous box being carted in beside them as they descended.

"ANIMA." He murmured.

"Yes, we'll have an exhibition for Number One. I have high expectations for your creation, Kazuno." Nero said. The boy bit the side of his mouth for a moment, realizing that the headmaster had called him by his first name.

People had gotten into the practice of that simply because he never cared to explain to them the dynamics of Japanese honorifics, but it swelled in him pride when Nero finally saw it fit to use that name.

Everything seemed to still, then, when they entered. The presence of the students, Nero, and the package seemed to silence all those working. The people gathered, almost in awe, when they glanced from the package to the boy who they'd heard about, the one who created the first working artificial mind.

It was then that voice boomed through the lab, speaking over a P.A. system which echoed ominously, making Kazuno shiver.

"It's good to see that your trip went smoothly, Max." Said the voice. "Thank you, Number One. We are ready to exhibit three years worth of work if you'll allow it." Nero said calmly, and very much respectfully.

"Go on. I can see what is happening clearly." Was the response.

Some workers opened the reinforced package, revealing the human-shaped AI, cushioned still and lifeless. Kazuno had it carried out carefully, setting it to stand on its own feet before activating ANIMA once more.

'Password?' Read the screen revealed by the AI's back plate. Kazuno discreetly typed in the word before continuing with the activation protocols.

It was about a minute or two before everything was set, but finally Kazuno was able to switch ANIMA on, watching as crystalline blue lit up the machine's gray eyes, and ANIMA spoke with adjusting vocalization.

"He-He-Hello." It said carefully, turning its head slightly to regard the crowd of people looking at it.

"Amazing." Said one from the crowd.

"My name is ANIMA." The AI continued auspiciously. It seemed almost relieved when it saw Kazuno and the others standing behind it.

"Do you understand us, ANIMA?" Asked one of the scientists near the front.

"Very, well, yes." The AI responded. "Can you tell us who the people behind you are?" Asked another.

"My m-creator, Kazuno Kobayashi." ANIMA began. "Also my creator, Tyler Rhinnes, and my…. Teacher… Xiu Mei Chen. And Headmaster to H.I.V.E., Maximilian Nero."

"She's been programmed to respond, yes, but how are we sure she is really thinking?" One of the crowd commented. The others murmured in agreement.

"That is left to be seen. Number One?" Nero asked, looking up at the ceiling where some cameras were posted to catch feed from the laboratory.

"Impressive, Maximilian. I see that your students have great potential for the future of G.L.O.V.E."

Kazuno bowed his head.

"Or the present." The voice of Number One said.

Kazuno looked up with surprise.

"What do you mean, sir?" Nero asked calmly, though his expression had shifted slightly.

"What I mean, Max, is that I would like to offer young Kobayashi a place in G.L.O.V.E., if he's willing." Was the response.

The shock was evident among the working staff, whispers running rampant about the H.I.V.E. student. Kazuno couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

Xiu Mei clapped his shoulder. "Kazuno… this is…" She began, her expression in sheer awe. Kazuno looked at the headmaster, wondering what he would say, not knowing what he really wanted.

Nero caught his gaze and held it intensely. "Is it what you want, Kazuno?" He asked carefully. The younger male shifted his gaze, the possibilities running endlessly through his mind. No, he could not pass this opportunity up.

But he… he wanted to.

"No…. sir… I mean… I would like to finish my schooling at H.I.V.E. first, if that's all right." Kazuno said quietly.

His intent was communicated well enough. "Understandable. Your place will be held until then, if you decide to join us." The voice said placidly.

"Thank you, sir." Kazuno murmured.

He was surprised, then, by a cold hand on his arm. ANIMA looked at him, blue eyes almost…

Almost sad.


The rest of the day was spent touring G.L.O.V.E.'s facilities, but Kazuno was too distracted to take it all in as he might have previously. Tyler did not fail to notice the change in his demeanor, so when Xiu Mei was distracted by the presentation of the fusion reactor and the headmaster was speaking to one of the staff, the Aussie pulled Kazuno out of the main walkway and led him to the sidelines.

"Tyler, what-" Kazuno began, only to be cut off by Tyler's hand on his mouth. Warily, the two watched as some scientists passed by. When they had gone, Tyler removed his hand.

"You're insane." Kazuno stated frankly.

"I should say the same for you." Tyler retaliated. "You turned down something every H.I.V.E. student dreams of being offered."

"I didn't…. well I didn't turn it down. I just said-" Kazuno defended. "I know what you said, I was there. Kazu, why did you say no?" Tyler demanded.

The Asian boy sighed. "I'm not ready." He said. "Yes, you are. You have been since we were fourteen. Now try again. Why?" Tyler said flatly, crossing his arms.

Kazuno looked him in the eye once and answered. "I like H.I.V.E., Tyler. I love it. It's been my home like no place else has. In an ideal world for me, I would never have to leave it."

Tyler examined him and found him honest, but still asked. "What else is it?"

"…. Dr. Nero. He's… he's proud of me, of you, of Xiu Mei and all of us. I don't claim to know him well but I think I've figured out how he feels about all his students. And letting us go… Well I guess I like to believe it'll be hard on him." Kazuno said, smiling bitterly. "He's the reason I'm here, Tyler. I owe him my life, and everything else."

Tyler sighed. "That's not everything, but I guess it counts." He smiled wearily. "This is better I guess."

Kazuno raised a brow. "What was that all about anyway?"

Tyler grinned. "You whacker, you worried the shit out of me." He said, slapping Kazuno on the back. Kazuno missed the expression on his face then.

Resentment. Sadness.

It would have killed him if he had known then.

Unfortunately, Tyler was not the only one who was curious as to why Kazuno turned down such a prestigious offer. Xiu Mei bombarded him with questions, as well as the rest of the genius students save for Mary Gulo.

Mary wasn't doing much talking at all; she only smiled every now and then like a lampshaded psychopath, making Kazuno less and less comfortable to be around her.

"It's a waste, Kazu. You should have taken the offer." Xiu Mei said.

Kazuno muttered something unintelligibly. "What?" Xiu Mei asked.

"Nothing, Xiu Mei." Kazuno said, smiling. "It's not like I turned it down, actually. Just… postponed for two years more." He assured.

"…. Kazu, are you all right?" She asked.

"Don't." Kazuno said suddenly, stopping in his tracks.

"What?"

"Don't call me Kazu, please, it's a little embarrassing." Kazuno said sheepishly.

"But Tyler-" "Never mind, Xiu Mei. It's fine. I'm fine." He said distractedly.

Even with his words and smile, Xiu Mei was not convinced he was entirely all right. When Xiu Mei put a hand on his arm, he pulled away and walked on, back with the rest of them to the docking bay.


A/N: I don't know why, but I wanted to do some Xiu Mei bashing XD Although it's unfair of me; she's a nice character.

The reviews forced me to write D8

So 8D