Author's Note: Reviews are still welcomed. And you might want to set up the cue music before you start reading to be able to stay with the mood of the moment. All my music can be found on Youtube (.com) Just a helpful suggestion.

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Not Naruto, Kingdom Hearts or GetBackers, or the song lyrics I will be using, but I do own the plot.

Cue Music: (1) Creepy music box (best version from user: Narsous) (2) When Darkness Falls - Nox Arcana

Sasuke walked silently though the halls to his first class as he stared unblinkingly in front of him. Friday couldn't come any quicker even if they wanted it to. All of Hebi was on their toes. They never left Sora or Kazuki alone, and since Ginji and Naruto were always with them it made it easier for them to keep tabs. Nothing strange or unusual had taken place...well unless you counted that strange occurrence during practice…

It shouldn't have been possible after all it was way too soon, but the boys managed to call upon their element without the use of an outside source. It was practically unheard of for control to be established so quickly but it had happened regardless of who wanted to believe it. Kakashi and Leon were most impressed. And though Sasuke loathed to admit it, so were the Hebi members.

Since today was Friday, it was their day to move the girls on campus. Sasuke wasn't too sure but he thought that something of importance might also occur as well.

"How's our plans look for today?" Riku was as stealthy as ever, but as usual he couldn't get the jump on Sasuke.

"Pretty full, the girls haven't really done much packing after all." Riku let out a defeated sigh. He wouldn't be caught dead acting in such a lax manner in public but as they were alone it was fine.

"Does that mean that we're going to have to do more than necessary?" Honestly he'd rather spend his time with Naruto and his brothers. They were an interesting bunch and as of yesterday he was grudgingly admitted into their circle. Kazuki still looked wary; in fact there was still tension between them all. But all in all they seemed to be getting along quite well for someone Naruto not to long ago told off.

"I guess so." The conversation ended when they were joined by Gaara and Neji and soon after Roxas and Axle's little fraction.

Sasuke took a good look around him and toyed with the idea of asking the rest of his family for some help. Roxas and Axel would be of great help. Hell even Kiba, Gaara, and Neji would be of use. Maybe even...

"Aaacchhoo"

"Bless you Naru- niichan."

"Thanks So-chan" Naruto swiped at his nose wondering if this was the beginning of a god-awful cold. 'Well time to head to class. Now to grab breakfast...' Naruto made a swipe at the plate on his kitchen counter only to discover his toast missing. It took a few seconds for him to realize his hand came back empty.

"Nani?" his loud exclamation next could be heard practically through out the wing.

"WHERE"S MY TOAST?"

"Oh sorry were you going to eat that?" Naruto peered around the corner of his kitchen to realize that the culprit was standing in the doorway with 'his' toast in his mouth.

Ginji grinned wickedly before speeding out the door beginning his countdown '5...4...3...2...1'

"ANIKI!"

Naruto took off like a jet rocket leaving Sora behind in his room to lock up. He was barely able to slip on his shoes and grab his bag before the wild chase started.

There was one terrible thing Ginji miscalculated, Naruto's legs were longer. He was catching up and fast. Ginji would be caught if he didn't think of something quick.

"Damnit stop running so I can catch you already!" Naruto screamed.

Ginji hooked a sharp left before replying, "Zettai iya da,(1) if I stop running then you'll catch me!"

"That would be the point you thief!" Naruto huffed out in annoyance. It was too bad, Naruto had a feeling that he was forgetting something very very important...

(Half an hour later)

(Que music – Creepy Music Box)

"Chikushou, I'm lost! That idiot got me freaking lost!" Naruto fumed. He only took consolation in the fact that his Aniki was ten times more lost than he was. He knew he shouldn't have followed him.

The blonde wandered around till he found a door that led to an old passageway in the court yard. He had never been there before but he figured that it was better than meandering about alone inside.

The cobblestone path extended from the house and was lined with pillars and an archway roof. This part of the house had an eerie feel to it. Unlike the rest of the well kept manor, this particular court yard felt abandoned...Almost as if time and age had taken its toll.

Naruto was tempted to take his chances inside but never ending hallways made him change his mind. He strained his ears to hear anything over the howling wind and the pouring rain but to no avail.

The sky was darker than normal and the rain came down in sheets. He didn't much care for this country that they moved to. There was one day he could remember actually seeing the sky but that didn't last very long. And the rain clouds only let up for a few hours a day. It was dreary to be down right honest. He had heard from the other residents that this weather was highly unusual for them as well. 'I wonder if this has anything to do with us... I mean with all the other weird crap taking place that idea wouldn't be to unbelievable.'

Naruto's thought process was abruptly halted, the long blonde braid that he so adored snagged on something. He turned around to free it but to no avail. Whatever the hell it was had him almost by the roots of his hair. He tried to yank it free but that only resulted in a pounding headache. It was then he heard that particular sound that was beginning to sound more and more like the toll to hell's hour. But it still made his heart jump painfully in his chest regardless...

...the gentle pitter patter of a child's running footfall accompanied by a giggle that would haunt him for years to come.

'No way in hell!'

(End Que Music)

Chibi Ginji stared at a dead end wall for the better part of five minutes before he confirmed that it wasn't going to move for him. He put his chubby hand under his chin and plopped his bottom on the floor. He was almost positive that this was the way he came from. He was bad at directions yes but he wasn't down right stupid. This bloody statue wasn't here before... 'I could swear on it...I could swear... where the heck is my otouto! I need him here; I need to know he's safe. This feeling... this is bad.'

"Are you lost again?" A truly amused voice broke off the ill-omened atmosphere. Chibi Ginji looked up and almost jumped for joy. It was his saviors!

Gaara stood there with a rare smirk that outsiders hardly ever, if at all, saw. And Neji was attached to his arm as always smiling in an equally amused fashion.

"Do you need help getting to class?" Neji asked softly.

"Hai!" Without warning Chibi Ginji attached himself to Gaara's leg and inched his way up as if he were a tapeworm climbing a tree. Gaara for the first time in years was too surprised to do much else but stare in shock. Was this child that daft that he would ignore all the warning signs and do what others would never dare to attempt? When Ginji was comfortably situated on his back, Gaara could only chuckle and Neji's laughter filled the hallways with its pleasant sound.

"You're either really brave or very foolish." Gaara observed but did nothing to remove him. Instead he placed his unoccupied arm under Ginji to support him and continued to walk. Ginji for the life of him couldn't remember what he was forgetting...

(Que Music When Darkness Falls - Nox Arcana)

Naruto wasn't about to stick around for the sick horror fest to commence. When his hair still wouldn't give way he made the rash decision that he would surely cry over later. He summoned a small amount of flame to the tips of his fingers and sliced through his hair. He felt the strands flutter to his shoulder and took that as his cue to run. He kept going until he was sure that there was plenty of distance between him and the...and the... 'I really need to give that thing a name.' He thought humorlessly trying to pull himself together. When Naruto finally slowed down he realized that he still wasn't in an area he recognized.

A small silhouette caught the corner of his eye and he stopped for a moment to examine it. You could only imagine his surprise when he saw a child no older than seven or eight sitting on the ledge getting soaked by the rain.

"Hey you'll get sick if you stay there." Naruto made his way slowly to the child. 'I never knew that we had kids around here. I wonder who he belongs to?'

The child was startled out of his reverie and turned his huge doe eyes towards Naruto. They took their time in studying each other before anything more was said. The little boy had long blonde spiky hair that look as if it hadn't been combed in weeks. His eyes were a dark shade of blue and his pupils were so small they were hardly visible. His pale skin only added to his sickly demeanor. Despite his appearance, the child was really something to look at, he was angelic looking.

When they locked gazes again Naruto couldn't help but feel as if though something was a bit off with him.

'Yeah like being alone in the middle of nowhere isn't enough.' He scoffed to himself.

"Who are you mister?" He tilted his head to the side as if getting a better perspective would help him remember the foreign face.

"My name's Naruto, What's yours little guy?" Naruto crouched down slowly to avoid scaring the child.

When he got no response he decided to try again. "Are you lost?"

That one got him a response. The little boy shook his head no. After another moment of silence the doe eyed child spoke in his timid voice. "Kaijin..."

"What was that?" Naruto couldn't quite catch that since it was spoken in such a small voice.

"My name is Kaijin. Are you lost Naruto-niichan?"

"Hehe I guess you could say that. I was chasing my baka Aniki when I sort of lost my way..." Naruto scratched at his head bashfully.

"Aniki?" Kaijin questioned curiously while reaching to take Naruto's now out stretched hand.

"Hai, I have four brothers, my Aniki Ginji, and my otouto's Kazuki and Sora." He grabbed the child's hand in order to bring him to his feet, but the moment he took hold of the hand an ice cold feeling of discomfort passed through him.

"Bbrr your hands are freezing how long have you been out here?"

Kaijin merely shrugged indicating his lack of an answer. "Come on lets get you inside so we can find your parents."

When Naruto tried to take him back the way he came Kaijin shook his head furiously and pulled him in the opposite direction; making the elder of the two wonder if he knew what was back there.

After a few uncomfortable minutes of silence the hyperactive blonde could hardly stand it. "So who are your parents?"

A shrug was his response.

"Huh? So who are you staying here with?"

"We're here," Kaijin interrupted, once again avoiding the answer.

Naruto noticed that the path opened in a corner of the field where he could see the dome shaped gym. He let go of the child's hand to take a few steps out into the rain. That giggle sounded once more before Naruto had a chance to turn around. He put two and two together and the pieces fit perfectly. The footsteps and the laughter were all Kaijin's doing.

"Ano sa..." Naruto turned around and was met with a brick wall instead of a pathway. He called for Kaijin and after no response he tried pushing on the wall. It wouldn't budge. He took off as fast as he could, hell bent on forgetting everything that just happened.

'This fucking place is evil!'

(End Que Music)

Cloud sat in the secret room in which Leon had ensured was one-hundred percent safe. He was sipping on his French vanilla coffee when his eyes focused on a small white and blue blur running across the field. The blur had a mop of blonde on its head. Despite the heavy down pour Cloud was willing to bet that that figure was indeed male and one of his sons to boot. He quickly set his cup aside on the glass coffee- table and slipped on his boots. Making sure he had a few towels secured in his arms Cloud rushed for the door only to bump into Leon.

"Leon what are you doing here?" Cloud questioned in surprise momentarily forgetting his purpose for rushing in the first place.

"Well good morning to you to." Leon smiled gently.

"We're in a bit of a rush aren't we?" He teased gently humor dancing in his eyes.

Cloud felt the dust of pink that covered the bridge of his nose, "Wha-What?"

'Rush? What is he...Oh geez I almost forgot!'

"I'm sorry Leon but one of the boys is completely drenched, he was running across the field just now."

Leon's face took on a serious expression in record time . It would have been comical if the situation didn't cause both of them to worry.

He quickly grabbed a hold of Cloud's hand and pulled him out of the room to lead him to a set of back stairs that would have been hard to find otherwise.

When they reached the front stairs they nearly collided with a dripping wet Naruto who was bent over and sucking in air as if his life depended on it.

Naruto didn't even notice when the towel was placed on his head, but he did notice when gentle hands started drying his dramatically shortened hair.

He felt the warm towel smooth over his cheeks, riding them of the beaded droplets that had collected there as another hand removed his glasses. As Naruto opened his eyes he was greeted by a more than welcomed sight.

"Cloud-otousan, Leon..." The loud blonde choked on his words, he was just so damn happy that he could finally relax. He was getting really sick of this place; Naruto really wanted a change of pace. This stupid manor was starting to get to him.

"How 'bout we get you showered and changed first?" Cloud steered him in the direction of his room so he could do just as he said.

The walk back was a silent one but they did happen to run into Gaara, Kiba, Roxas, and Kakashi. The later of the four joined them under the pretenses of lecturing Naruto about skipping class when in reality he was just as worried as the rest of them and just a tiny bit curious.

Gaara assured Naruto that Ginji had safely reached his class and Kiba asked him several times if he was feeling well. After their short exchange the boys headed off to class and Naruto was able to shower peacefully knowing that he wasn't alone.

When he emerged from the bathroom he was greeted by the sight of the three males comfortably seated on his bed. Cloud was bracing against the head board while the other two situated themselves along the edges.

"Now then do you want to tell us what you were doing running in the rain?"

It was then that Naruto noticed Iruka quietly sitting on his desk chair. 'When did he get here?' was the un-asked question.

"Umm I got lost?"

"Wrong answer chibi try again." Kakashi answered in his false cheery voice.

Naruto sighed as he situated himself directly aligned with Cloud on the bed allowing him to dry his hair in a comforting way only a father could. His head dropped forward immediately and the tension flowed from his body. It took him a few moments but he decided to tell the adults what was going on too. Even if Kakashi and Leon didn't believe him, Cloud and Iruka wouldn't judge him.

He told his story as best as he could, minus the child. Both encounters were too close to discount and he surmised that Kaijin had been a figure of his imagination. But no matter how much he wanted to he couldn't really disregard the idea of the child completely.

After his long winded story silence enveloped the room, yet it wasn't uncomfortable, it was contemplative.

"It's alright if you don't believe me. Hell even I don't want to believe me..."

Clouds arms wrapped around him from the back and pulled him into a loving embrace that one would use to sooth a disgruntled child.

"Don't be stupid Naruto of course we believe you." He chided.

"Naruto you're speaking to people who come from near, if not demonic backgrounds, what makes you think that we won't believe you?" Leon assured.

Cloud and Iruka exchanged quick sharp glances before forcing themselves to relax. It wouldn't do to give themselves up just yet.

"Arigatou mina," Naruto beamed at them giving them the infamous Uzumaki hundred-watt smile.

"Ano, I have a question that may seem a little out of the blue but, has anyone here ever heard of the name Kaijin?"

Cloud shifted himself more comfortably against the headboard adjusting Naruto in his arms. Iruka got up and situated himself on the bed, while this time the other two exchanged glances.

"That's an interesting question with an interesting answer, Sak..." He was cut off with a hard wallop to the head.

Leon felt the vein in his forehead throb before attempting to calm himself. "Aho (2), She isn't even hear you lazy ass."

"Wari wari (3) bad habbit, I just love picking on that girl," Kakashi chuckled nervously.

"Anyway, it's interesting you should ask that because that name is directly tied into the houses history. Kaijin is one of the three prophetic children that this manor was created to house and raise. He disappeared almost 1,300 years ago during the revolution along with his brother and their care takers. How did you hear about that name? Did one of the boys tell you about it?"

Leon was more than a little curious, he was bordering suspicion. That name wasn't part of casual conversation, unless Naruto was directly enquiring about the manor.

Naruto for the second time that day was at a lost for words. After all how the hell do you say 'Well I'm sorry to tell you this but the boy isn't missing just dead. And he was nice enough to lead me back home when I was lost.'

Yeah...no way in hell.

"Um I saw it in this picture in that abandoned court yard I was telling you about. Well now that my curiosity has been satisfied how about I get to class. By the way, Leon and Iruka don't you guys have classes right now?"

"Nope somebody broke the main water pipe in the boy's room on our floor, so all classes on that floor were cancelled." Iruka spoke up from his bout of silence. He was still trying to take in all that he had been told and make sense of it.

Ban, Ginji, Kazuki, and Riku were all bored out of their minds. Ginji had been late to class only to find out that there was no class. They had all migrated to the library since it was the least used room and the most relaxing.

Ginji watched as the hands on the grandfather clock ticked along with its rhythmic sound. He had already discovered an extensive mystery collection and had read nearly a third of his current book 'Mind reader'. He was tired of reading so he just lay curled up in fetal position on the couch. Not that he was uncomfortable by any means. How could he be? His head somehow found its way into Ban's lap some time ago. Nobody remembered how the hell it got there in the first place, but it was comfortable all the same. Ban was slowly lulling him to sleep with the absentminded strokes of his hair.

Riku looked up from his spot on the plush carpeted ground, he liked sitting on the floor rather than the chairs sometimes. It was, in his opinion, all the same.

"We have a pretty busy schedule today, so how about just sleeping over at the girls tonight instead of coming all the way back here?" The silveret asked quietly so as not to disturb the relaxed atmosphere.

"That sounds perfectly fine to me. In fact..." Ban paused in his speech and smiled at Kazuki and Ginji.

"Would you guys like to get out of this place for a while? A bunch of us were going to move Sakura and Ino in this weekend. You're more than welcomed to come along if you'd like.

Kazuki brought his index finger to his lip and tapped it twice as if in thought before voicing a question of his own. "Who will be there?"

"Hhmm, well Ban, Sasuke, Shido, Leon, Kakashi, the girls obviously, myself and if anyone else wants to tag along."

"Are we all going to fit in just their two apartments?" Ginji bit his bottom lip in anticipation as he stared at the brunet god like figure hovering above him.

Ban pushed some of the mop like hair out of the blonde's eye and pushed his glasses down to the tip of his nose to stare into those big chocolate colored eyes. "Don't worry about it we own a penthouse not to far away from them. Besides you guys don't really have to do anything, we'll take you out for a night on the town. How's that sound?"

Chibi Ginji promptly glomped the unsuspecting genius, "Ban-chan ichiban!(4)"

"Not so fast there Gin- niichan, won't the others mind if you invite us with out discussing it with them first? Especially Sasuke- kun, he's not the friendliest person in the world." Kazuki looked skeptical at best.

"Nope, once two out of the four decide on something then that's that. And don't worry about Sasuke, he's socially retarded." Riku assured before muttering, "I don't think all the time in the world can change that."

"Huh?" If it were possible chibi Ginji would've had huge question marks for eyes at that given moment.

"Ah don't worry about it, he may act as if he still doesn't accept you but I guarantee you that you're all growing on him. Give him a little bit more time to adjust. He's a hard one to warm up to but once you do I assure you you'll have a life long friend... or brother-in-law." Ban added wickedly grinning to Riku and receiving one in return.

Kazuki gave them the first genuinely relaxed and happy grin. Once you got to know them they weren't all that bad. "That sounds like a plan to me."

Sora and Shido would like to confirm the theory that, yes time does actually go slower when you look at a clock. It was only morning but already they couldn't wait for the day to be out.

Shido was just bored having to relearn the same nonsense over and over again...Things that no matter how long you live you never use. But Sora on the other hand looked too tired for words.

"What's wrong? Didn't you sleep?" Shido stopped counting the yawns after the twenty-seventh one.

"Nuh-uh, not really I was really uncomfortable last night. The bed felt like a pile of ...yawn...rocks."

"That makes no sense what so ever. This place has the most comfortable beds I've felt in centuries."

"I know it's just that... well...I don't really know. I've been feeling tired lately. No matter how much sleep I try to get it just doesn't come to me."

"I'm sure you just need a proper night's sleep. Riku can help you with that, you know."

"How?"

"It's his ability."

"His wha..."

"...Are you two quite finished yet? I know history isn't the most interesting topic but cut me some slack will you?" One very agitated Kurenai- sensei stood tapping her foot in front of them.

Chibi Sora was about ready to run for his life, 'Shimatta!'

Naruto's morning was fairly uneventful. He went to all classes as usual and nothing else happened. By the time lunch hit and the whole gang got together, the morning's events had more or less blown over.

He was so busy staring off into space that he almost missed the plate of fried rice and bake chicken that was shoved in his face. He looked past the plate and was shocked in the most pleasant of ways.

Sakura held out the plate of food but had her head turned away hiding her not so subtle blush and disgruntled face.

"Sa-Sakura- chan?" He was surprised yes but that didn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. She was just so cute! He wondered if he had a sister, would she have been more like Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Kairi, or Naminé? The five were so different but all appreciated in their own way.

"Don't think too much on it. You missed class this morning and none of you brought your bento. I can't watch people starve so I whipped up something after class to share with the whole group. You better not waist any I-"

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto gently grabbed her hand to stop her rambling and was surprised when his hand wasn't slapped away. And she didn't yell at him!

"Arigatou, you're the best!" She turned to walk back to her seat, pausing only to give him a smirk and a quick wink. "Of course I am. Sasuke- kun can't be number one at everything."

The entire Hebi gang paused out of shock. Never in their life had they ever heard of Sakura putting her precious Sasuke below anyone, especially herself. Sasuke made eye contact with her and gave her one of his small smiles. But instead of the expected squeal they only saw a cocky grin shot his way.

What in the seven hells was going on? It was like they walked into the twilight zone or something.

"Sakura are you feeling okay?" Ino ventured cautiously.

"Perfectly fine Ino-pig, now eat your food I worked damn hard on it!"

Ino felt the vein in her forehead pulsate, 'Yup she's just peachy!'

Shikamaru looked at them before sighing. He already knew what was to come.

"Hey guys guess what! We were invited to go help the girls move this weekend! And we get to sleep over to!" Ginji spoke excitedly.

Naruto, Sora, Shido, and Sasuke looked up in surprise from there meals.

"When was this decided?" Sasuke glared at the culprits suspecting them before even being told anything.

"This morning, and don't looked so pissed off it was your idea after all." Ban chided while puffing away at the cigarette.

"When in hells name did I ever say, 'Let's invite the newbies!'?" he hissed in retaliation.

"Ah, you didn't." Riku chimed in knowingly.

"Then what..."

"You were thinking it, duh."

"You sonuvabitch, you read my mind?"

"Say's you. You were just thinking so freaking loud that I couldn't hear myself think."

It was almost invisible but the faint pink on Sasuke's cheek was glaringly obvious to those around him.

"Gomen."

Sasuke received a light punch on the top of his head and looked up in surprise.

"Che, you act as if you don't interrupt my thoughts every hour of the day." ...You're forgiven.

"So what time are we leaving..." Sora started,

"...and how are we going to get there?" Naruto finished.

"How 'bout we leave a little after the afterschool training?" Shido suggested a little unsettled.

He didn't hate them anymore but he was still wary of all the misfortune that seemed to trail them. Inviting them home was a little too personal for him. He'd always been a lone wolf and when he joined his 'pack' or family he vowed to protect them. He didn't trust the boys enough to bring them to the only place he truly felt secure. There were two very good reasons why he didn't voice out his objection.

Reason number one was that he was out numbered three to one on this decision. Even if Sakura and Ino protested with him it was obvious whose decision held more weight.

Reason number two was that despite his discomfort with the idea he was looking foreword to spending time with his recent attraction, Kazuki. That boy was an enigma he was determined to figure no matter how many lifetimes it took. And he meant that in the most literal of ways.

"Agreed?" Ban asked and received nine nods in response. Sakura and Ino were intrigued by the idea as well even though they hid it pretty well.

Naruto had a strange feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He realized that it was honest to goodness happiness, mixed with content. Just under a week ago they were practically at each others throats. And with the exceptions of Sasuke and Shido, they seemed to be getting along quite well.

Besides that, he knew why Ginji was so happy. Sora and Kazuki were invited to several parties, sleepovers, and casual hangouts. All of which they declined due to the older brothers not being welcomed. They would only get invites if the host desperately wanted the younger boys to attend. However Ginji and Naruto had never been honestly invited anywhere. This was huge for them, it meant a lot.

"If that's the case then we should all head back to our rooms and pack so we don't waste time afterward." He adjusted his glasses and toyed with his ridiculously long bangs.

Ginji gasped after noticing for the first time Naruto's shortened braid which fell a little below his neck.

"Otouto what happened to your hair!" Ginji grabbed it and studied it as if it would speak and tell him the answers he so desperately wished to hear.

Naruto froze and the happiness dissipated as quickly as it had formed. Everyone around him seemed to sense his one-eighty mood swing.

Axel looked at him closely, gauging his reaction. You couldn't tell from the way he acted but Axel was better than a lie detector test. He could hear the rapid pulsing of Naruto's heart and saw the imperceptible beads of sweat that started to appear along his forehead. Axel's pupils dilated into slits and the green surrounding it turned yellow. They were the eyes of someone who could truly strike fear into a person's heart. They were the eyes of a monstrous beast.

"I'd warn you to answer carefully but I'm sure you already know that, ne Naruto?" The smile on his face said it should have been a joke but the look in those eyes screamed volumes about the true intent behind his words.

Roxas looked at Axel anxiously and squeezed his hand for reassurance. Axel was hardly ever if at all serious. Something was up. The fiery redhead pulled the slender blonde into his lap only to wrap his long arms around him.

"H-hai." Naruto stuttered unsure of the story he'd come up with now.

Shit if he lied, Axel wouldn't be the only one to know. Kiba could smell fear for miles around him; Shikamaru could literally read body language as if it were an open text. Shido could hear the blood run through his veins. Sasuke and Ban could make him confess on the spot. And he didn't even wanna think about his brothers. He was surrounded by the worst people possible to try and keep a secret from.

"I um...I have no idea how to explain what happened." He looked back and forth between Ginji and Sasuke nervously.

Ginji's eyes widened a fraction as he read the signals for what they were. "This morning, it happened this morning after you were with me didn't it?"

"Hai."

Ban wasted no time in outing his cigarette, stalking over to Naruto, and ordering him to stay still.

"I'm not a dog you know!" The look he gave was a cross between a pout and a glare. The results made him look as if he were sulking.

"What if I don't want you messing around in my head?"

"You trust us in your brother's but not your own?" Sasuke quirked an eyebrow in response.

That shut him up faster then he would have liked. What could he have possibly said to counter that?

"It's not all that important anyway." He grumbled turning his head away. Sasuke could be such a bastard. He was met with several disbelieving snorts in the process.

"Naruto stop avoiding it and let me see." Ban was almost as scary as Cloud or Iruka when he was being tested.

"Look it's either me or Sasuke, take your pick." Naruto took one look at Sasuke's smirking face and stuck his tongue out at him. 'No way, if I let him do it I'll never hear the end of it.'

"Fine, it won't be pretty any way."

When Ban was finished with him he looked away and rubbed at his face tiredly. "It could have been a practical joke played by one of the other gangs. You're not the most popular group out there. Besides not all special children belong to hebi, just the ones you see here now. There are roughly 30 that belong to our group out of almost 200 students."

Naruto sighed in relief. The joke itself wasn't funny but he found how skittish and easily frightened he'd become hilarious. He felt like he was out of his freaking mind.

"There's nothing to worry about mina. Anyway we should go get packed right about now, we'll see you all in class."

The eight boys stood up and made their way to the inside of the manor followed closely by the rest of the gang.

Naruto was almost to his room when Sasuke grabbed his arm and led him down the hall to his own room.

"Oi what are you doing, I have to pack."

"Urusai dobe, unlike you I can read between the lines."

"What lines… are you feeling okay Sasuke- teme?"

"It's figurative, I meant when my brother was talking. Now shut up and get in," Sasuke non to gently shoved Naruto in and waited for him to remove his shoes.

He motioned for Naruto over to his bed and placed his hands on either side of the sitting blonde forming an effective 'cage' for the blonde.

"Wha-what are you doing?" Naruto was more than a little nervous now.

Without a word Sasuke activated his Sharingan and leaned in to gain access to the memories locked in the dobe's head.

When he was finished a brief look flashed across his eyes. If you asked Naruto, he would bet his life away that the look was one of sadness.

Sasuke reached up and grabbed Naruto's braid staring at the end of it for a while. "Che, I like it better short anyway."

Cloud wandered around aimlessly deep in thought. He had never been inside the manor but he and Iruka had been briefed about it when they first learned of The Coven...

The coven formed to protect the last true heirs to the throne of the damned. Cloud knew something was going on when the children were invited to a private school out in the middle of nowhere. Which just so 'happened' to be a historical sight for his people.

This school having a weird vibe was an understatement. 'Besides, what were the chances of there being so many like 'them' gathered in one area?'

Cloud was wrenched out of his musings by an uncanny sense of déjà vu. He stopped in front of a door that looked extremely out of place. The door spanned the wall from top to bottom making it fifteen by eight feet easily. It had carvings made of what looked like porcelain. The figures etched within it resembled damned souls clawing their way out of the pits of hell. It was most disturbing yet slightly fascinating at the same time. His hands traced a face that seemed to stare into his soul. The artist had truly captured the essence of despair within the cold lifeless expression.

As his hands dexterously explored the carved surface he came upon an inscription engraved in it, "The gates of renaissance." He carefully studied the text and discovered there was more to it.

"Here they store what came before. Pain and suffering from days of yore. Before and after, tears and laughter. After comes before, before comes after. Past and future and then, hereafter. The naked and the dead, the young and the old. Their stories end here, their tales untold. Here sickness and death Have left their pages. Written in blood for all the ages. Someday, your story will be here, too." (5)

The words were mocking but the meaning was clear. It made Cloud wonder what could possibly be behind the door to warrant such a cryptic message. He placed his hands on the door, 'Well couldn't hurt any to take a peek-'

Just as he was about to push, Cloud was whirled and shoved face forward into the opposite wall. A hard body shoved up against his harshly to ensure that there was no struggle.

"Just as I thought, you are one of us. No normal person could see, let alone touch that door. It stands in dimension of its own. Its very existence violates the laws of reality. So what exactly are you? You're presents as well as Iruka's is far too weak to notice. Which means one of two things...You're incredibly powerful and have mastered the suppression technique, or you're a newborn. My guess is you're too old to be a fledgling. That leaves us with the former of the two to go with."

Cloud knew that rich sounding voice like the back of his hand.

"Leon..." he ground out between clenched teeth while his face was still smashed painfully against the wall.

"No more games Cloud! Who are you really, and what is your purpose here?" Leon let up enough to allow Cloud room to breathe.

"What the hell are you doing you bastard? Get off of me!" Cloud snarled the moment he caught enough air to speak.

"Why were you opening the door? It's forbidden."

Strange, it was like they were both avoiding question after question.

Leon abruptly turned his prey around and slammed his slightly smaller frame into the wall. "What are you?" He tried again slowly staring into the icy pool of blue that could freeze hell over.

Cloud didn't feel very obliged to answer. He swore up and down that as soon as he got his hands back Leon was a dead man. He glared into the storm that was Leon's eyes and noticed for the first time that the blue and grey flecks were swirling violently around silted pupils. His surprise must have shone on his face because Leon quickly looked away avoiding eye contact.

"Why did you hide from me?" Leon sounded indifferent but Cloud knew better. He was hurt.

"I didn't mean to, I never came upon so many people like myself in one place. I panicked." The blonde felt his anger slipping away little by little. Really Leon could be just like a child, sulking like that.

"Is that why you suppressed your presence?"

"What do you mean? How do you-"

"No more games! Stop playing stupid, it isn't funny anymore." Without realizing it his grip slacked giving his captive enough room to counter attack.

Before Leon realized it Cloud pulled his arm loose and clocked him straight in the face causing him to loose his balance and fall backward. Cloud wasted no time in straddling his hips and pinning his arms down at the side of his head.

"I swear to you I have no idea what you're talking about. I've never heard of it before. And as far as I know neither has Iruka. We don't have special abilities, but we've been alive for a really long time."

Leon still refused to look at him concentrating on a point to his far right. "How did you meet the boys and how did you know of the bind then?"

"We met Ginji and Naruto about a century ago. When we found them we assumed that they were normal children. But when they didn't really age or grow we figured something was up. A few years down the line and we found out the hard way what they were. What we were... It's always the same. Time and time again it's always the same." Cloud spat out bitterly.

"Somewhere between every thirty to a hundred years their memories are completely wiped and they start all over again. The time frame of when it happens is never the same.

Not knowing anybody or anything... that feeling...that feeling is the worst.

Both Iruka and I can't remember anything before we met those two. It happened again about a year ago. We found Kazuki and Sora then around that time as well. We had no idea that they were apart of this to. All we could do was standby and protect them.

Every time their memory was swiped... every time they woke up scared and lonely... It was hard." Cloud swallowed and continued.

"And then we came here, a place out of a fairy tale we'd been told about once upon a time. We learned of others like us and were taught the history of our people over time. I don't know what I am. I don't know what clan I belong to. I've never been able to do anything besides rapid regeneration. And an old friend from lifetimes ago explained why the boys could never remember for very long. Sora and Kazuki couldn't remember anything either when they came to us. Don't you find that to coincidental?" Cloud trail off not knowing what else to say.

When Leon still refused him eye contact he felt irked. He'd never spoken so much at one time and he didn't know what to expect from Leon after hearing his story.

He released his hold on one of the hands and gently grabbed Leon's chin between his thumb and forefinger. When Cloud was finally able to gaze into those glazed over eyes, he noted that the swirling had died down and was now more of a gentle floating. It reminded Cloud of a lazy day when the clouds just drifted across the sun.

"Don't look at them." Leon closed his eyes and tried to turn his head away again.

Cloud was shocked to say the least. Why on earth would anyone be ashamed of such beautiful gems?

"Why...?" ...why are you looking away...why are you hiding from me...why are you ashamed... there were so many why's he didn't know which to ask.

But Leon chose to answer them all in one go, "Because I am a monster."

Leon felt the cool presence of skin on his forehead and warm steady breaths that ghosted across his lips. He slowly opened his eyes only to be greeted with a soft smile and one last question.

"If you're a monster then what am I?" Leon wasn't given a chance to answer as his lips were stolen in a soft gentle kiss.

When Cloud got no reaction he feared that he'd done something incredibly stupid and pulled away giving a sad smile to the now dazed Leon. He move to climb off the stunned man but was pulled into a crushing hug and a fierce kiss. God he was in heaven! Cloud brought his hands up to weave them in Leon's chocolate brown tress only to discover that it was even silkier than he'd imagined.

Leon nipped at his bottom lip before running his tongue along the seam of his mouth. Cloud opened without a moment's hesitation, their tongues met in a battle for dominance and neither could get enough. Cloud gave up soon enough and was rolled onto his back. With Leon's weight settled comfortably on top of him, Cloud felt that if he could stay there forever he would.

When the two of them parted for breath neither saw it necessary to pull away farther then needed. When Leon spoke, the silky appendages he called his lips brushed against Cloud's own petal soft ones.

"Are you alright with this? I not the best match you..." He was silenced with a hard kiss almost at once.

"Shut up Leonhart, I want what I want, and I always get what I want." Cloud smirked as he gently stroked the flawless skin covering Leon's taunt jaw line.

"Is that so?" The look on the brunette's face was absolutely lecherous.

"Hmm, and what are you going to do about it?" Cloud was pulled to his feet and into a firm chest, never once breaking eye contact. He wrapped his arms around the brunettes neck and felt the hands settle under his ass. Taking the hint Cloud jumped up and wrapped his legs around the slim but curvy hips.

Leon wasted no time in pressing Cloud against the wall once more. "Far be it from me to deny you." If the first and second kiss didn't confirm it then the third one sure as hell sealed the deal.

Side Notes

1) Zettai iya da - roughly translates to, absolutely not, or I don't want to. (If you know of the direct meaning or a better way to put it please let me know.)

2) Aho- impolite term meaning, idiot or dumb ass.

3) Wari – informal way of saying sorry.

4) Ban-chan Ichiban- Ban's number one.

5) This was a quote taken from a series I can't really remember but was absolutely taken by it. I take no credit for that quote what so ever. I'm pretty sure it was a Steven King brain child.

Um guys I was cruzing YouTube and I found a video for the fans to watch: Things that creep us out by Buraku56. I warn you if you scare easy don't watch, it's scary.